Some lucky Eastpoint products are going to new homes in the east of Europe and Africa. Our very own Core Support Team member Tara has been building shoe boxes to send off as part of Link to Hope and Samaritan’s Purse’s Shoebox appeals for Christmas 2018.
Some of our products that are going in the boxes include out Swash KOMFIGRIP Colouring and Graphite Pencils, Classmaster Erasers and Gluesticks, and even a selection of our Re:Create Recycled Pencils amongst other everyday learning and creative essentials.
Link to Hope
Link to Hope is a charity working to rebuild lives and communities in Eastern Europe. Countries include Moldova, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Romania. They were established in 1991 and offer help to people of all backgrounds, regardless of race, colour or creed.
Its annual Shoebox Appeal asks people to fill a shoebox not just for a child, but for a full family. Since 1992, they have sent over 800,000 shoeboxes to hundreds of locations.
You can send your own Shoeboxes with Link to Hope every year by visiting their website.
Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan’s Purse is an international relief and development organisation that works in communities in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia to provide both spiritual and physical aid. There are offices in USA, Canada, Germany and Australia as well as in the UK.
Throughout the year, Samaritan’s Purse responds to water and sanitation issues, sustainable livelihoods, and disasters and emergencies. At Christmas, however, they’re well known for their Operation Christmas Child initiative, sending Shoeboxes to children at Christmas time. It’s not too late to join in with Samaritan’s Purse’s initiative – boxes can be dropped off from the 1st of November.
How do you pack your own Shoe Box?
Step 1: Find a Shoebox!
A medium sized box will do and should be wrapped in colourful wrapping paper. Your box should be labelled for a boy or a girl, and for an age category such as 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14.
Step 2: Fill your box!
Your box should be filled with all kinds of things suitable for the recipient – toys, hygiene items and school supplies are great ideas, but one or two special items will make a big difference, too.
Step 3: Make a donation, too.
With Samaritan’s Purse, it’s suggested you add a £5 donation with your box to cover project costs and shipping. You can ever follow your box once it’s been sent by tracking the barcode.
Step 4: Personalise your box!
You can even pop a handwritten note and photograph in the box for the child that receives the box.
Step 5: Drop off your box.
Your box can be dropped off between November 1st and 18th, and there are drop off locations all over.
Get involved this Christmas and make a difference to a young person less fortunate than ourselves.
You can read about other Eastpoint charitable activities here.