TEAM Hope is calling on schools, families, parishes, communities and businesses across the city to help turn just another day in a child’s life into something special by participating in the 2012 Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal.
Team Hope is aiming to deliver 195,000 shoeboxes from Ireland into the hands of needy children in Africa, the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, whose families typically live on less than
?¬1 per day. For many, it is the only Christmas present they will receive.
The closing date for receipt of shoeboxes is November 12.
Niall Barry, Team Hope Executive Director, explained how easy it is to help.
“Simply root out a spare shoebox, wrap with Christmas paper and fill with gifts for a child to write (items for school), wash (small hygiene items), wear (small clothing items) or wow (a treat) and attach e4 to cover transport costs. Close the box with an elastic band but don’t seal it with tape as each box is carefully checked for customs and safety requirements by Team Hope staff and volunteers.
?
According to Niall Barry, the Christmas Shoebox Appeal has delivered Irish gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 2.6 million deprived children in 21 countries over the last 13 years.
“It might be an orphan in rural Romania, a child-led household in Swaziland, a boy with cancer in a Ukraine hospital, a nine-year-old whose Mum and Dad have died of AIDS in Lesotho, or a girl who was sold into prostitution in Moldova. In this way we help bring joy, laughter and hope to children, many of whom have to survive on less than e1 a day,
? he said.
The Team Hope network of partners deliver the shoebox gift right into a child’s hands, in hospitals, schools, shelters, churches, orphanages, community centres or family homes.
Schools, communities and organisations that wish to organise shoeboxes for the appeal should visit www.teamhope.ie or tel 01-2940222.