Dear Families,

This year Div. 3, 4 & 7 are supporting the charity, The Shoebox Project for Shelters over the holidays. The charity collects and distributes gifts in the form of Shoeboxes to women who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness in the downtown East Side.

About the Charity:

For women who have been displaced from their homes and estranged from their families, the holidays can be a particularly challenging time. Often, women feel disconnected from society, forgotten and alone. Reducing the feelings of isolation and loneliness faced by women living in shelters is one of the most important outcomes of The Shoebox Project. A shoebox gift is a powerful reminder for a woman that she has not been forgotten and that she remains a valued and respected member of her community.

 

How to Make a Shoebox:

 

• You can either make a Shoebox at home, or bring in items and the children will wrap and assemble the Shoeboxes in class. If you make a Shoebox at home don’t wrap the box closed. The charity inspects all items before giving the boxes to the women.
• Each Shoebox must be valued at approximately $50 – see the suggested items!
• Consider lining the Shoeboxes with tissue paper first for a more polished, elegant look
• Don’t overstuff your box; make sure the lid fits on properly and doesn’t pop off
• Avoid including items that are overly delicate to avoid anything getting broken in

Transit

• Don’t forget to write an inspirational message!

 

Suggested Items to Include:

• Something warm: socks, mitts, scarf, hat, hand warmers
• Something sweet: nut-free chocolate and candy (not alcohol-filled)
• Cough drops, multivitamins
• Body or hand lotion, soaps, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
• Brush, comb, shampoo, conditioner
• Nail polish, mascara, eye shadow, lipstick, lip balm
• Purse-sized Kleenex, small cosmetic bag
• Gift cards (Tim Hortons, Shoppers, McDonalds, etc.)

Please write the amount on the card or include the receipt

• Subway tokens and bus tickets
• Journals, colouring books, pens, coloured pencils
• Supportive message

What to Leave Out:

• Used goods
• Hotel Samples
• Sized clothing (i.e. S, M, L, XL)
• Mouthwash containing alcohol
• Candles
• Foundations, concealers
• Hand-sanitizers
• Perfume ** (Check your local chapterfor exceptions)
• Razors
• Jumbo-sized containers
• Books
• Anything opened or not packaged

 

The deadline for the shoeboxes is December 15^th. Please contact me (Lia Cuccurullo lcuccurullo@vsb.bc.ca) if you would like more information. I will be dropping off the shoeboxes the following week.

 

The website is: http://www.shoeboxproject.com/about.html

 

Thank you for your support,

Ms. Langille