Shoebox Collection 2022
This year’s shoebox appeal strategy was a ‘trial run’ when Cranleigh Rotary decided to liaise with Blythswood Care, a long-established church-based charity with three decades experience in collecting and distributing gift-filled shoeboxes to vulnerable people in several Eastern European countries. Indeed, their gift-recipient list extends from pre-school children up to ‘elderly’.
The donated Cranleigh boxes (about 330) were sent to Serbia. For various reasons, the number of donated boxes was considerably reduced this year; for example, it is fair to say that the collection deadline of early November, set by Blythswood Care, did not suit several schools due to its proximity to half-term.
As always, however, we consider that one particular benefit in asking local schools to arrange gift-filled boxes is that schoolchildren then have a clear opportunity to be directly involved, and so make the charitable factor more meaningful for them.
In regard to the overall number of donated boxes, it is appropriate to share a truly incredible story, namely that one local family donated 175 boxes. Yes, 175 gift-filled boxes; this roughly corresponds to ‘one box per two days’ over the year since that family’s last shoebox donations through Rotary in 2021. Truly awesome!!
We are grateful, yet again, to Riding for the Disabled for the use of their barn in our temporary storage of box-filled cartons (supplied by Bournes Moves Cranleigh) pending their collection by Blythswood Care.
Again, many, many thanks to all.
David Barry (President)
Schools which donated boxes were: Park Mead; Cranleigh Prep.; St. Cuthbert Mayne; Glebelands; St. Joseph's; and Duke of Kent.