- Our scheme caters for schools, colleges, companies, individuals and of course Rotary Clubs.
- You will need some of our special shoeboxes that identify you as a supporter of the Rotary Shoebox Scheme.
- Your local Rotary club might be able to provide some boxes, otherwise, follow the links above that best describes your organisation for more information and to order boxes.
- Rotary has no religious or political affiliations
- No leaflets of any kind are added to any boxes
- Our boxes are gifts for children & adults; delivered all the year round, not just at Christmas and go to Eastern Europe
- For more information go to About Us
Our Rotary Shoeboxes
Our Box can take four types of content, and you choose which you wish to do
(We only work with these boxes)
You indicate the type of contents on the box top. In the case of toys, additional information as to the suitability for boy or girl, along with age group is also indicated.
A card with the senders name and a photograph is also a nice thing to include.
Above all, the contents should be of good quality, remembering that the recipient will be opening the box in eager anticipation, and especially with the toys for the children, quite possibly the first real gifts they have received for as very long time. You can see guidance on contents below or download a list here
Box dimensions are: Length 30.5cm (12″) x Width 15cm (6″) x Depth 12.5cm (5″)
The boxes we are always short of, are for Teenagers and Household
Suggested box contents
Toys ~ For Boys & Girls
Cars, trucks, etc, balls, complete jigsaws, action figures, colouring books, pens, crayons, lego blocks, yo-yo, bubble blowers, wooden and plastic toys, building blocks, pencil case, pencil sharpener, dominoes, playdough / plastercine & cutters, fluffy toys, dolls, stickers, writing pads, skipping rope, scarf, mittens / gloves, hat, harmonica, games, cards…
Teenagers ~ For young people up to 18 years age
Sportswear, scarf, gloves, socks, hat, football memorabilia, writing materials, games, playing cards, tennis ball, tooth brush & paste, deodorants, comb, mirror, costume jewellery, make-up, hair brush, toiletries, school stationery, clothing repair kits, sketch pad, coloured pens / pencils…
Household Goods ~ For older folk & families
Scarves, gloves, hats, wrapped soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, disposable razors, shampoo, soap flakes, pan scourers, antiseptic cream, bandages, face or body creams, cosmetics, pens, writing pad & envelopes, T lights, candles, sewing kit, scissors…
This is given to new mothers and can include baby wipes, baby shampoo, baby oil, talc powder, bonnet, bootees and mitts, baby grow, knitted matinee coat, small soft toy or plastic rattle etc. Age up to 12months
Please do not include in boxes the following: Food, sweets, chocolate & drinks, battery operated toys, conflict related items, matches, inflammable liquids, inflammable aerosols (e.g.: deodorants & hair spray), seeds or any other living material, automatic washing machine powders
For safety – Please securely sellotape tops of liquid containers. Protect anything sharp and do not put anything sharp into the Toys box.
Hope And Homes for Children is an organisation we support each year, giving them approx 10% of the boxes we receive from supporters.
They have worked with orphanages in Romania over nearly 30 years.
The 8min video below from ‘The Economist’ gives you an update from the times of Nicolae Ceausescu to where we are now.
View a video above showing boxes being distributed in the Ukraine
PLEASE NOTE- That if you are from Channel Islands, Dorset, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and part of Wiltshire( Amesbury, Salisbury, Wilton) be aware another Shoebox Scheme is also in operation as well, which is not part of the Rotary Shoebox Scheme, but managed by Rotary District 1110 and you can contact them by emailing: geoff.philpot@btinternet.com
(They operate with actual shoeboxes but only at Christmas)
Not Just for Christmas – We Operate All Year