This year again some of the most deprived children in Europe get some Christmas cheer from Rotary and their supporters thanks to Rotary Shoebox Scheme.
Disadvantaged children across Moldova, Romania, Albania and Montenegro are in desperate need of some Christmas cheer.
And it’s Rotary to the rescue again to help make the Christmas for hundreds of children special.
Each year Rotary clubs across the region get together with local schools and organisations such as Inner Wheel to put together a pile of Christmas presents that would give Rudolph back-ache.
There will be 26,000 excited kids and 26,000 happy Christmases for children who otherwise may be in a desperate situation.”
Kind donors make up shoebox parcels filling them with warm hats, gloves and socks, toiletries and toys. Some add a Christmas message from their own families.
These are then wrapped up and collected, ready to be sorted and packed for onward shipment in containers directly to where they are most needed using Rotary’s global network of supporters and clubs.
This year Poole Bay Rotary from Dorset collected an almost record 531 boxes from around the area. These were collected from several schools including Lytchett Minster, St Mark’s, St Luke’s and St Edward’s.
The Riviera Hotel kindly laid on a large conference room for the boxes to be checked and sorted, before they were sent on to be combined with collections from other clubs totalling this year over 26,000 boxes from our district alone.
Poole Bay Rotary President Roger Allen said, “I am so proud of what we have achieved here.
The Rotary Shoebox Scheme has been operating for more than 25 years since when it has delivered more than one million boxes.”
“As a result of the huge support from everyone across Rotary Wessex, there will be 26,000 excited kids and 26,000 happy Christmases for children who otherwise may be in a desperate situation.
“It warms your heart to see how generous people have been when you look through the shoeboxes and see the thought that has been put into them.”
The Rotary Shoebox Scheme has been operating for more than 25 years since when it has delivered more than one million boxes. The charity operates all year round, and not just at Christmas. It is a UK-registered, not-for-profit charity with no paid employees.
Find out more about the Rotary Shoebox Scheme.
How you’ve helped
Thank you to everyone who has helped to pack a shoebox this year. Here are just some of the schools, companies and people who have got involved this Christmas!
All our @Rotary @RotaryGBI Christmas Shoe Box Appeal donations are all ready for collection today. pic.twitter.com/8woBpu8pSK
— Ivanhoe School (@ivanhoe_school) November 5, 2019
The Earth Explorers have completed their first challenge!40 boxes for the Rotary Shoebox Appeal.#MakeRightsReal @AbdnPupilVoice @RotaryGBI pic.twitter.com/8bIkf2HdnN
— Brimmond School (@BrimmondSch) November 7, 2019
We are proud to support this years Rotary Shoebox Appeal for children and families across Europe. @RotaryGBI
Thank you to all our families #shoeboxappeal2019 #cognitaway pic.twitter.com/VqOnX9KEGM— St. Margaret's Prep School (@StMargsPrep) November 8, 2019
Thank you to everyone who donated items or money for the rotary shoe boxes. @RotaryGBI#charity #rotary #shoeboxes #rotaryclub
If you would still like to make a monetary donation, please hand it in to the school office. Thank you.😀 pic.twitter.com/Jijdd2zbSf
— Pinfold Street Primary School (@PinfoldStreet) November 8, 2019
A big thank you to all the pupils, parents and carers who donated filled shoeboxes to the Rotary Shoebox Appeal! #proudoflockyers @RotaryGBI pic.twitter.com/oqbxVPnSFg
— Lockyer's Middle (@Lockyers_Middle) November 8, 2019
@northfieldaca has recently launch a @RotaryGBI #Interact Club and today we collected over 40 shoeboxes from throughout the school. This was our first event and the response has been amazing! Can’t wait to see what else the Interact Club get up to for the rest of the year. pic.twitter.com/qC67UiwEcY
— Mr Kerry 🏳️🌈 (@MrKerry_Bio) November 12, 2019
This #givingtuesday @PLMRLtd is proud to be supporting the @RotaryGBI Shoebox Scheme. This year my box is for an elderly person pic.twitter.com/7rulDqlijO
— Elin de Zoete (@elindezoete) December 3, 2019
