For many years now, St. Mary’s has been an enthusiastic participant in Team Hope’s Christmas shoebox appeal project and in its predecessor Operation Christmas Child. During this project, pupils learn that there are other children who are less fortunate than they are and that by their simple acts of giving they can improve the life of another person.
Every year, with community help, the Christmas Shoebox Appeal sends thousands of gift-filled shoeboxes to children in Africa and Eastern Europe. The children who receive the shoeboxes are affected by poverty in different ways. Many come from families with very little income, others live on the margins of society or in areas affected by conflict. Shoeboxes are given based on need alone and bring joy and excitement to children living in often very difficult situations.
More details are available on: https://www.teamhope.ie/christmas-shoebox-appeal