Shoebox cheer for refugee children

Families, schools, community groups and businesses across County Clare are being asked to get involved in this year’s Team Hope Shoebox Appeal campaign, with the aim to reach a target of 200,000 shoeboxes.

Speaking at the launch, Niall Barry, Team Hope executive director, said, “Poverty and need is on the increase every year in the countries we visit and we see at first-hand that our Christmas shoeboxes help bring joy, laughter and hope to children living on the margins of society, victims of war, disease or poverty.”

To get involved, simply fill a shoebox with gifts for a child, and bring it to any of the drop-off points in the county before Tuesday, November 10.

Suggestions for what can be put in the shoeboxes include pens, pencils, colouring books, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, a small item of clothing and a treat.

In the receiving country, Team Hope’s network of partners delivers the shoebox gifts right into a child’s hands,­ in hospitals, schools, shelters, churches, orphanages, community centres or family homes.

This year, working with their partners in Eastern and Central Europe, Team Hope also plans to give Christmas Shoeboxes to 20,000 refugee children caught up in the current crisis.

For further information about the Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal and the work it does, as well as a list of drop-off points in the county, or to get involved visit www.teamhope.ie, follow Team Hope on Facebook at www.facebook.com/team.hope.ireland and Twitter @TeamHopeIreland, #AMteamshoebox.