Coolmine Community Care Team are working to help this charity send presents to needy children.  Many of these children are in orphanages, street-kid shelters, hospitals or in families stuck in the poverty trap. Their Christmas day is just like any other day, and for many their shoebox is the only present they receive.

How can you help? 

• Find an empty medium-size adult shoe box. Cover the box in Christmas paper making sure that you wrap the lid and box separately.
• Decide whether your gift will be for a BOY or a GIRL, and which age category. You will need to tape an appropriate label to the box. (A label will be supplied by the Community Care team).
• Fill the shoe box with the gifts from the list below. Please don’t wrap any items individually or overfill your box.
• Enclose €3 or more in an envelope. Cheques are preferred for security reasons and should be made payable to Samaritan’s Purse. Place the envelope inside the box, but on the top of the gifts so that it is clearly visible when it is opened. (The €3 goes towards the promotion, transport, processing and distribution costs of running the project).
• Secure the lid with an elastic band. Do not seal the box as it will need to be checked to ensure it meets customs requirements.

Recommended Gift Ideas

• Toys – small ball, cuddly toy, finger puppet, jigsaw, yo-yo, building blocks, small musical instrument. For boys – trucks or cars,
  For girls – doll, clip-on earrings, make up or hair accessories.
• Educational supplies – felt pens, pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser, copy book, chalk, colouring book, pencil case, stickers, notepad, picture / puzzle book.
• Hygiene items – toothbrush and toothpaste, hairbrush, comb, hair clips,
  wrapped soap, facecloth.
• Other items – gloves, hat, scarf, sunglasses, cap, hat, socks or other small items of new clothing. Sweets (sell-by date must be at least March next year).

Please do not include any of the following items:

• Food or any other edible items (such as tinned food, crisps, biscuits, cakes)
• Medicine - any medicine or vitamins
• War related items -  toy guns, soldiers or knives
• Clothing - larger items of clothing (other than those listed above)
• Fragile items - glass or mirrors
• Liquids of any kind, including blow bubbles, shampoo, bubble bath, toiletry sets or aerosols
• Dangerous items - sharp objects, scissors, razors or marbles
• Books with words

We appreciate any help you can give us achieve this goal.
Fr. Tom & Coolmine Community Care Team.