THE regulars are already busy with the shoeboxes.
Around this time every year kids from the International Community Fellowship Hurstville and from various schools fill shoeboxes with goodies that children in troubled parts of the world can enjoy.
The International Community Fellowship (ICF), is aiming for 1000 boxes from groups in the Hurstville community.
Individuals, families and schools are invited to participate.
You start with a shoe box decorated with Christmas themes, decide on a boy or a girl and age group, and fill it with one or more items from the following themes.
Something to love: teddy bear, doll, soft toy, etc.
Something for school: exercise book, pencil case, pens, pencils, colouring pencils, sharpener, eraser, chalk. Something to wear: T-shirt, shorts, underwear, cap, beanie, sandals, thongs, etc.
Something to play with: tennis ball, cars, skipping rope, marbles, musical instrument, yo-yo, slinky, finger puppets, wind up torch, etc. (no battery operated items).
Something for personal hygiene: soap and face washer, toothbrush, hairbrush, comb, hair-clips, scrunchies, etc. (No toothpaste).
Something special: carry bag, sunglasses, bangles, necklaces, craft kits, stickers.
But do not send items that leak or melt (toothpaste, shampoo, bubbles, plasticine/playdough, batteries); food, lollies, medicines and vitamins; used or damaged items; breakable items; items that can scare or harm a child (knives, war related toys); anything of a religious, racial or political nature.
Label the box (boy or girl) and secure it with rubber-band or string. (No sticky tape).
If you wish, include photo (self/family) and a note to the child.
Enclose $9 in an envelope to help with costs for transport and place this inside box on top of items.
Drop the box off at the Community Centre, 91 Queens Rd, Hurstville on any Sunday between 9.30am and 1.30pm. Collections close on November 8.
