Love in a Box 2008

At the risk of sounding like Bob Geldof and friends, I'm taking a pause during the pre-holiday madness to think about about those who are less fortunate than my family and I. This week, my kids and I will be participating in a charity drive called Love in a Box. Assembling a box is quite easy, and I personally think it's important that we teach the young about the spirit of giving (and not just receiving) during these end-of-the-year festivities. For anyone else who follows this blog and is here in France over the holidays here is some more information:

For 19 years the LOVE IN A BOX and LOVE IN A BOX PARIS programs have provided holiday gifts to thousands of needy children. This year we will distribute presents to children in Paris, Strasbourg, Mulhouse, and Bulgaria. The charities include:

Paris Tout-Petits, a charity for underprivileged children in Paris.
Salvation Army Paris who warms the hearts of about 400 people on Christmas Eve.
Les Restos du Coeur a Paris soup kitchen.
Salvation Army Strasbourg and Mulhouse whose 'Action Quartier' programs target children/youth in marginalized areas with academic help, musical fellowship and other activities aimed at social integration
Centre Flora Tristan a refuge for families from homes plagued by domestic violence.
Avec Elles in Vincennes, fellowship group for women and children (aged 6 months to 18 years).
Bonne Mine a charity that supports 12 orphanages in Bulgaria.

HOW TO PREPARE YOUR LOVE IN A BOX
1. Take an empty shoebox.
2. Wrap your shoebox in colourful paper. Wrap the lid and box separately.
3. Pack your box. Use this list to decide what to put in.
4. Use an elastic band or ribbon to keep the lid on. Do not tape it closed.
5. Place a label on the end of the box, marked girl or boy, and the age.

1. YOUR BOX MUST INCLUDE: (Everything should be new with the exception of used toys, books in very good condition, please.)

TOOTHPASTE AND A TOOTHBRUSH
SOAP
CRAYONS, PENS, MARKERS OR COLORED PENCILS
A NOTEBOOK, PAPER OR COLORING BOOK
SOMETHING WARM TO WEAR: GLOVES, SCARF, HAT, SOCKS
SWEETS, CHOCOLATES
BOOK IN FRENCH

2. YOU MAY ALSO INCLUDE SOME OF THE FOLLOWING: (Please no battery-operated toys)

SMALL, GOOD QUALITY TOYS GAMES, BALLS, MARBLES, BALLOONS
DOLLS, STUFFED ANIMALS, TOY CARS, DOMINOS, HARMONICAS
HAIR ACCESSORIES, JEWLERY, BANDANAS, BELTS, WALLETS, WATCHES
PENCIL CASES, HANDBAGS, MAGAZINES, QUIZ/ACTIVITY BOOKS

3. WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE:

LIQUIDS, PERISHABLE FOODS (gosh darn, I guess that means no cupcakes!), TOY GUNS, KNIVES OR SHARP ITEMS, MEDICINE


FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jill Cameron: jillnchris@hotmail.com, Francie Seder: frp@noos.fr and
Betsi Dwyer: ecdwyer@aol.com

Please bring your gift boxes to American Cathedral, 23 ave George V, 75008 before December 14th, 2008.