Rotary Christmas Shoebox Appeal with Gaelscoil & Naíscoil na mBeann sending gifts to the East

These are the happy, smiling faces of pupils in Gaelscoil and Naíscoil na mBeann who are giving an extra, special Happy Christmas to children in Romania.

On the far side of Eastern Europe underprivileged Romanian children will be smiling widely as they start to open the Shoeboxes

“Thanks to the Rotary Club of Newry and local schools joining in the Shoebox Appeal over many years we now send about 700 gift parcels to Eastern Europe.” said Rotary Secretary Paddy Loughran

“Just before Christmas every year the charity delivers thousands of Shoeboxes from all over Ireland. Every year Newry Rotarians are welcomed into our local schools throughout Newry and Mourne. Thanks also to a local firm which packs the boxes on pallets for free and then on to Europe by sea and land.”

The boxes contain simple gifts and toys for children of all ages.

Cars, trucks, etc, balls, complete jigsaws, action figures, colouring books, pens, crayons, Lego blocks, pencil case, pencil sharpener, dominoes, Play-doh / plasticine & cutters, fluffy toys, dolls, stickers, writing pads, skipping rope, scarf, mittens / gloves, hat, harmonica, games, cards and comforts for babies …given to new mothers and can include baby wipes, baby shampoo, baby oil, talc powder, bonnet, bootees and mitts, baby grow, baby blanket, small soft toy.

Thank you to all of our families who took part this Christmas.