If you listen to Isle of Wight Radio or have kids at school on the Island, you will no doubt have already heard about the Romanian Shoebox Appeal.
If you haven’t, the scheme is being organised by The Rotary Club and Isle of Wight Radio and aims to send shoeboxes full of not just toys but also useful items to deprived children in Romania.
Michael Coombes from IW Radio recently made a trip to Romania and heard that many families are so poor that they cannot even afford necessary items such toothbrushes or soap.
What can you do?
The idea is to use the guide below (from IW Radio) to fill your shoebox.
You have until the end of the month to get your box into IW Radio on the Dodnor Industrial Estate in Newport.
The kids love to receive toys and gifts, but there are also some essential items that will be a massive help to them.
Make sure you read the rules on what can or can’t be included as well as what size the box should be, how it is wrapped etc.
There are four different age categories and each one requires certain contents
Age 1-3 Years
Small soft toy, picture book, hat, mittens, socks, soap, hairbrush, flannel, toothbrush and toothpaste, plus any other suitable small items
Age 4-7 Years
Educational book and game, simple jigsaw, ball. Lego, crayons and colouring book, hat, mittens, scarf, socks, soap, hairbrush, toothbrush and toothpaste, toy vehicle, doll, skipping rope.
Age 8-11 Years
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 12-15 Years
Educational book and game, playing cards, geometry set, pens, pencils and case, pencil sharpener, rubber, writing/drawing book, hat, gloves, scarf, socks, wide toothed comb, soap, flannel, toothbrush and toothpaste, washbag, hair accessories, sports item.
International Customs Require items which must be for education, health and hygiene purposes.
All Items must be new or in -as new- condition.
Do not include
· Battery Powered items
· War related items, guns, knives
· Large items of clothing shoes or large toys
· Books of a religious, racial or political nature
· Food, sweets or liquids of any kind
· Medicines
· Sharp items
How to make up your shoebox
Please cover your box with wrapping paper, ensuring the lid is separately wrapped for customs’ purposes.
Do not wrap individual items, just place them in your box and use an elastic band to secure the lid. You could also include a Christmas card, a letter or a photo.
You need to stick the last page of the Shoebox leaflet (downloadable from the IW Radio Website), on the top of the box ensuring that you have clearly marked the age group and whether it is intended for a boy or girl.
Please sellotape to the top of the box £1 towards transportation and administration costs. Any surplus will be used for the benefit of disadvantaged children worldwide.
BOXES WHICH ARE LARGER THAN 33 x 20 x 15 cm (13 x 8 x 6 inches) cannot be accepted
Image: Reproduced courtesy of IW Radio
