Dear Jesse Lee,
We have an urgent need! We are deeply grateful to each of you who participated in Shoebox Sunday, contributing to the heartwarming collection of shoeboxes filled with joy and care. With those gifts and with donations received and committed boxes that will be coming, we can meet the need of about 200 boxes total. Your generosity is a beacon of hope!
However, we’re facing a challenge. Our partner agencies, who lovingly distribute these gifts, have expressed a greater need this year – over 300 shoeboxes total, about 40 more than last year. This means we have an opportunity to touch even more lives! The need is especially great for adult women, adult men, and teenagers aged 13-17.
Imagine the joy and surprise on their faces as they open a box filled with thoughtfulness and love, a true reflection of the Christmas spirit. If you have the resources and the desire to light up someone’s Christmas, please consider preparing a gift box (or an additional gift box).
To coordinate our efforts, kindly use the Signup Genius link below to inform us of your intention. Our Shoebox Angels are working hard, but the task is substantial. Your support is needed more than ever. Even if a full shoebox is beyond your means, any donation, big or small, helps us inch closer to our goal. The donation link is also below.
Together, we can help ensure that Christ’s love is felt this Christmas in Ridgefield and the Greater Danbury area!
Click here to sign up!
Click here to donate to this ministry
Click here for PDF instructions and box labels
——-
As we did last year, we are working with Ridgefield Social Services and ARC (Associations of Religious Communities) to distribute our Christmas Shoeboxes locally.
A few guidelines: All items must be new (not used).
New this year: Please pick up custom made shoeboxes to fill with your gifts in the narthex. Please take as many shoeboxes that you are able to fill and return any shoeboxes that you didn’t use. You are welcome to continue to use shoeboxes that are wrapped, printed Christmas themed boxes from Michaels, Walmart and Ocean State Job Lot and plastic Sterlite shoebox size plastic containers. Fill the shoebox FULL of approved items (unlike previous years, your box will not be sent to a distribution center to be checked and finished, so please be sure it is complete when you bring it to church). Please don’t include weapons, items of war or easily breakable items such as glass. Gift receipts may be included so that an exchange for size or color may be made. Gift cards may also be included.
Labels: Please use the labels found in this document
Suggested items for Children: Small toys, school supplies, balls, games, cards, candy, art supplies, books, stuffed animal/doll, mittens, scarves, hats, gloves, hair bands and hairbrush, Christmas ornaments, bows, personal care items, socks, shirts etc., ear buds and phone chargers, string lights, key chains. Pinterest online has many creative ideas as well.
Suggested items for Older Adults: Chapstick, slippers, fancy tissues, mints, flashlight/batteries, socks, gloves, hats, scarves, puzzle books, hard candy, pens/pencils, greeting cards, stamps, notecards, hand cream, personal care items, nail care set, Christmas ornaments, games, playing cards, candles, jewelry items, gift cards.
Please contact either Debbie Ahle dbahle@aol.com or Jennifer Mayette Jennifer.Winston88@gmail.com with questions.