Castletown Community Church opens doors for donations to Blythswood shoebox appeal
Blythswood coordinator for Castletown and the surrounding communities, Mrs Christine Stone, will be launching this year’s Shoebox appeal on Monday, October 6.
Donations have already started arriving, with stacks of shoeboxes and hand-knitted items coming in from all across the community.
Completed bags and boxes will be sent to the Blythswood Depot for onward distribution, to be sent to families in poverty in Albania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine.
Last year, the charity sent out over 85,000 shoeboxes, providing essential items to those who need them.
Each shoebox is made up with a specific recipient in mind, categorised by gender and age. Shoeboxes contain small, non-perishable items such as toiletries, gloves, and small toys or stationery for children.
Filled and labelled boxes can be handed in to the single, local collection point, Castletown & Community Free Church.
The cost of sending one lorry of shoeboxes to Eastern Europe can be up to £7000, so monetary donations will be most welcome and can be handed in to the same collection point.
Shoebox leaflets will be delivered to Castletown Primary School; leaflets will be available for uplift from Castletown and Community Free Church, and posters will be distributed around local shops and businesses.
The church will also be holding its annual Blythswood coffee afternoon on Saturday, October 25, from 2pm until 4pm.
Proceeds will go towards the Shoebox Appeal and the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society.
If required, busy parents and guardians can drop off their donations at Castletown, Bower, and Crossroads schools, and these can be collected by one of the team.
Wrapped shoeboxes and drawstring bags will be available throughout October and can be collected by arrangement from Castletown and Community Free Church.
The lorry will be arriving on Thursday, November 6 and will be parked outside Castletown and Community Free Church between 11.30 and 12.15 pm.
The last hand-in date for filled shoeboxes will be the afternoon of Wednesday November 5.