We have been offered a small window of opportunity to send ‘Shoe Boxes of Love’ for victims of the Queensland floods. This is a local Adelaide grassroots initiative which started with one person’s concern, some keen friends and an initial ‘event’ on Facebook, which grew so big they enlisted the support of the Campbelltown Rotary Club who are arranging transport and distribution. You may have seen news items about it on Channels 7, 9 and 10, or heard it promoted on Mix 102.3 radio. It involves the creation of shoe box sized packages of useful gifts for victims of the flood. Marnie Agnew and Jackie Otworowski heard about it and decided to give you the opportunity. But have only this weekend to do it.

Completed boxes must be received at the St Mary’s collection point by 11am, Tuesday 25 January 2011. So we have just this weekend to collect some items to send off. You may not be able to put together a completed box, so just bring in a few items & boxes can be made up from everyone’s contributions. Or you may be able to supply a box to put things in.

If you are able to help, please leave items in the office on Sunday, or Monday morning between 10am and 12 noon, or on Tuesday morning up to 10am. Alternatively ring Marnie Agnew on 8270 1671, or email agnew05@bigpond.net.au

What can you put in a Shoe Box of Love?

Please clearly mark each box/contribution with the appropriate gender and age (Teenage female, 5 year old boy, etc.)

The following information has been extracted from the project’s Facebook site.

The most important thing of all is what you put in your shoeboxes. There are a few key things to remember:

• They are being supplied with what they need. Instead, we’re looking to help out with a gift – to give them hope and a reason to smile.
• We’re doing this for them, not for us! Don’t include things that you just don’t want – they may not want it either! Instead, see the list of items that are being requested.
• Please don’t include 2nd hand items. It isn’t a positive experience to open a box from someone, just to find their “leftovers”. Remember, the aim is to give a gift!

What not to supply

They are already receiving plentiful supplies of:

• Food
• Water
• Milk
• Toiletries
• Medical supplies
• Clothes

So none of this is needed.

Instead, consider the following examples:

• Box for a baby: Nappies, formula, dummy, disposable camera (so his first steps don’t get missed!), bottle, teething gel, baby wipes, bibs, baby lotion, barrier cream
• Box for a child: Pencils, crayons, paper, dolls, toys, chocolate, reading books, colouring books, stickers, lollies.
• Box for a female: Body wash, moisturizer, scented candles, mascara, blush, tinted moisturizer, picnic set, hair product, pads / tampons, face wipes, deodorant, lip gloss, razors.
• Box for a male: Shaving cream, razor, magazine, pens, hat, sunglasses, nail clippers, comb, hair product, deodorant.
• Toiletries Box for a family: Shampoo and conditioner, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste, face wipes, sunscreen, toilet paper, feminine hygiene, mosquito repellent, Stingoes, Hand Sanitiser, Lip balm that has sunscreen protection, mouthwash, deodorant, Panadol, sewing kits, soap, batteries, Dettol, band aids.
• Box for the elderly: Arthritis cream, denture cleaner, roll on deodorant, powder moisturizer, hair product, talcum powder.
• Box for a pet: Single food sachets, leads, brushes, combs, dog shampoo, toys, chew sticks, bowls, flea and tick treatments (e. g. Frontline, Revolution, Advantage – just make sure it does ticks too), bird toys, perches, bird food