SHOE BOX APPEAL
Scroll Down
Shoe Box Appeal
For disadvantaged & displaced children in Albania, Montenegro, Moldova
& Romania
We also have Rotary Clubs in the Ukraine who are hoping to receive shoeboxes for distribution within Ukraine, depending on the situation and the safety of so doing.
Each year thousands of people like you generously pack shoebox gifts to provide some joy and happiness to children in need worldwide.
​
Fill your shoebox with a selection of fun toys, hygiene items (like soap, toothpaste and toothbrush), and school supplies (pens; pencils and paper/notebooks are extremely valued items). If possible, include one or two extra special items you know a child will love such as a doll, skipping rope, or cuddly toy.
Where do I get my Shoe Box from?
There is a display at Busy Bee Garden Centre, and you can pick up the newly designed flatpack (easy to assemble) shoeboxes there – or by completing the enquiry form at the end of this section.
Where can I take the filled box?
They can be returned to:-
-
Busy Bee Garden Centre
-
Islandwide Carpets in Star Street, Ryde
-
Jewsons – branches in Newport, Ryde and Sandown
​
The last date for receiving filled shoeboxes is Monday 28th October
What to put in your Shoe Box?
International customs require that items can be used for education or health and hygiene purposes.
All items must be in ‘as new’ condition.
Age 1-3 years
(Boy or Girl)
Small soft toy, picture book, hat, gloves, socks, soap, hairbrush, flannel, toothbrush and toothpaste, plus any other suitable small items.
Age 8-11 years
(Boy or Girl)
Pictorial educational book and game, jigsaw,
ball, card game, felt tip pens, pencils, pencil
case, drawing book, hat, gloves, scarf, socks,
wide-toothed comb, soap, flannel, toothbrush
and toothpaste, sports item, skipping rope,
hair accessories.
Age 4-7 years
(Boy or Girl)
Pictorial educational book and game, simple
jigsaw, ball, lego, crayons and colouring book, hat, gloves, scarf, socks, soap, hairbrush,
flannel, toothbrush and toothpaste, toy
vehicle, small doll, skipping rope.
Age 12-15 years
(Boy or Girl)
Pictorial educational book and game, jigsaw,
ball, card game, felt tip pens, pencils, pencil
case, drawing book, hat, gloves, scarf, socks,
wide-toothed comb, soap, flannel, toothbrush
and toothpaste, sports item, skipping rope,
hair accessories.
IMPORTANT - what NOT to include
-
Battery-powered items
-
War-related items, toys, books, guns, knives etc
-
Large items of clothing or shoes
-
Books of a religious, racial or political nature
-
Food of any kind
-
Liquids of any kind
-
Sweets of any kind
-
Medicines
-
Large toys
-
Sharp items
Can I decorate the new flatpack shoebox?
The shoeboxes themselves are treasured by these children, so if donors could decorate the outside of their boxes and perhaps include a card or a photo inside, that would be wonderful.
​
If you are using a regular shoe box, you can still cover these in Christmas paper, if preferred, but please ensure that the lid is wrapped separately for customs purposes. All boxes are also pre-checked by Isle of Wight Rotarians before they leave the Island.
Please don’t wrap individual items for the same reason – and do include a card, or letter if you can. Photos are also valued.
Can anyone knit?
If there are any keen knitters out there, we would welcome warm sweaters for children, both young and old, as it gets extremely cold. These get packed into large crates and distributed to families in need.
Please sellotape to the top of the box a donation of £2.00 towards transportation costs.
The Rotary
Rotary is the biggest service organisation in the world, made up of people from all walks of life who are dedicated to making a difference to others throughout the world, promoting all that is good in our society.
Our motto is “service above self” and we promote worldwide peace through our commitment to SERVICE, FELLOWSHIP, DIVERSITY, INTEGRITY AND LEADERSHIP.
​