Larnaca community church is appealing to the public to provide needy children with gifts this Christmas by filling an empty shoebox with presents.
“It might sound like a small thing, but it is a simple way to reassure children that though the world might seem really scary right now, we are still here for them,” one of the organisers and a member of the church community Karen Pekris told the Cyprus Mail.
People wishing to participate can decorate an empty shoebox and fill it with new toys, school supplies or sweets, Perkis said. The box should have a label marking whether the box is intended for a boy or a girl and what age group.
“Every time you go to a supermarket or for shopping somewhere you can get a little something to fill your box,” she added.
The process is a great activity for families to do together, Perkis added “to teach their own children that Christmas is also about giving and not just receiving”.
“We encourage people to personalise their boxes by adding a card, a letter of a picture of their family if they wish to do so.”
The church is in touch with about 15 families who are in need at the moment, while the process to identify more people who might have been affected by the current coronavirus pandemic is ongoing.
“It is heart-warming to see those children opening up their presents. We want to make sure no one is left without that joy during Christmas,” Perkis said.
Once collected, the organisers will check and sort the boxes to avoid any “inappropriate” toys like those related to war, or battery based as certain families might not be financially able to replace them. The boxes will be left for about two weeks before being shared to make sure they are not infected with Covid-19.
The Christmas shoebox appeal is a common tradition worldwide which started by a Christian organisation in America. It was organised in Larnaca a couple of years ago when around 100 children received boxes.
Packed boxes can be dropped at the Flamingo hotel in Makenzie (Sue 99 925097) or at Cypruslife real estate office in Oroklini (Rachel 99 221169).
The shoebox appeal will run until December 11.
For more information contact Karen Pekris on 99 596829
