As Christmas this year fast approaches, Rotary members up and down the country have turned their attention to the Rotary Shoebox scheme.
Fareham Rotary club, along with many others, are busy preparing and collecting shoeboxes full of gifts for the Rotary Shoebox Scheme.
Originally started by North West Rotary clubs in 1994, the Rotary Shoebox Scheme was intended to provide children of Iasi, in north-east Romania with Christmas gifts.
Since then, the scheme has become a national project supported not only by Rotary clubs but also by individuals, schools, companies, churches, Inner Wheel, Rotaract & Interact. The project welcomes anyone to get involved.
Now more than ever, it is important to ‘spread a little happiness’ to the children within these communities.
Either make up the gift yourself in a shoebox for a boy or girl in one of four age groups, and the contents should be new. You can include items such as hats, gloves, scarves, socks, flannel, toothbrush and paste, soap, hairbrush and maybe a soft toy or educational book or game. For more information on what can be included visit the website.
Gifts are now sent out throughout the year to many different countries in Central and Eastern Europe.
2020 has been a difficult year for many of us with a global pandemic taking centre stage, forcing us to isolate.
However, the effects of coronavirus have been much more severe in parts of the world where they were unable to isolate themselves or access suitable health care and hygiene facilities.
Now more than ever, it is important to ‘spread a little happiness’ to the children within these communities.
Our aim is to put a smile on the faces of children who might not otherwise receive any presents this Christmas.”
Jon Richards, International Lead for the Fareham Rotary Club said: “Our aim is to put a smile on the faces of children who might not otherwise receive any presents this Christmas. We need to send them out early to be in time for the festive season.”
The Shoebox Scheme is a registered charity working only with volunteers over the last 25 years, serving humanitarian need, and has no political or religious affiliations. It is an ideal project for multiracial schools.
If you want to find out more about this cause and how you can get involved, visit the Rotary Shoebox Website.
