By Bejay Browne
THE RESPONSE to a Paphos based appeal which will see all of the needy children of the district receive a shoebox crammed with presents this festive season has been overwhelming, say organisers.
More than 800 shoeboxes have been put together by members of the public for the children of needy families in Paphos. In addition, toys, teddy bears and other items were handed over to children yesterday.
The ‘Gift of love’ appeal was the idea of two Paphos based women Jenny Kelly and Emma Yianni, acting on behalf of Solidarity charity of Paphos. The charity is currently struggling to feed hundreds families. The pair said the response to the initiative had been ‘totally overwhelming’. They had asked the public to help to fill 350 shoeboxes for children in need in the area; they were inundated with more than 800.
“We have been so surprised and overwhelmed by the response from all parts of the Paphos community and there are now so many happy, smiling children in Paphos thanks to everyone’s generosity,” said Kelly, speaking to the Cyprus Mail from the distribution centre.
The gifts of love were handed out at Pefkios Georgiades School in Paphos at a festive event which saw singing group The Zingers performing and Father Christmas putting in an appearance.
Kelly said that along with the public filing shoe boxes, individuals and businesses who had heard that the gifts were being handed out, donated numerous brand new items for kids such as, shoes, tracksuits, sweets, Christmas trees and cakes.
“The children and families are ecstatic,” she said “and to see the children’s faces when they are handed their box is wonderful.”
According to Kelly, any extra shoeboxes are being taken up into the hill villages to be distributed by the pair to children in the area.
Pavlina Patsalou, co-founder of Solidarity, said that the public had responded ‘phenomenally.”
“We took 60 of the shoeboxes to children who live at a care home for children in Paphos and hundreds more were distributed at the event. It was perfect.”
As well as shoeboxes, the ladies had also appealed for knitters and quilters to help make baby blankets and jumpers, mostly for children.
Kelly said: “The community has come together in such a positive and wonderful way to support the children and to show that they are all special and loved. Many people who have helped with this appeal are facing tough economic times and yet they still wanted to help the children. Our heartfelt thanks go to everyone.”
