On October 17 & 18, the Holy Name of Jesus Council of Catholic Women will be distributing empty gift boxes which you can fill with items like toys, clothing and school supplies for children in 10 developing countries for whom this may be their only Christmas gift. These gift boxes, part of a Diocesan-wide effort by the Council of Catholic Women, have become a tangible expression of your and Christ’s love for over 900,000 children since 2014.
Last year, we distributed 250 boxes and would love to bless even more children with the help of your generosity. Simply fill a box with suggested items below and place your filled box in the large collection bins located at the back and side entrances of the church by November 8th. If you have any unused boxes, please place them in the collections bins as well because we can use them next year.
- Basic school supplies that will fit in a shoe box such as pencils and sharpeners, crayons, colored pencils, erasers, pencil cases, rulers, small notebooks or writing pads, and stickers.
- Toys such as small dolls or stuffies, small balls, mini-puzzles, yo-yos, harmonicas, craft kits, coloring books, jump ropes, and deflated soccer balls with a small air pump.
- Warm weather apparel such as t-shirts, shorts, socks, flip-flops, and hats.
- Accessories such as sunglasses, jewelry, and hair accessories.
- Useful items such as drawstring bags, toothbrushes, combs/brushes, manicure kits, and bar soap.
As you shop to fill your Box of Joy, here are a few guidelines from Cross Catholic Outreach, national sponsor for Boxes of Joy, to keep in mind:
| Please DO… | Please DO NOT… |
| ✓ Completely fill a box with a variety of gifts as a Christmas present for a specific age/gender of a child and mark the age and gender on the box. If you use a shoe box, make sure it is no larger than 12″x6″ | X Put only 1 item or 1 type of item (e.g. 15 boxes of crayons) in a box. If you cannot completely fill a Box of Joy, consider donating items in a separate bag or box. |
| ✓ Put a single rubber band around the box, rather than tape it shut, if you need to secure it. | X Tape the box shut. Cross Catholic Outreach opens each Box of Joy to add a rosary and book about Jesus. |
| ✓ Consider donating the following types/sizes of items that will fit in a typical shoe box: school supplies, toys, warm weather apparel (e.g., t-shirts, shorts, flip flops, sunglasses), coloring books, useful items (e.g., drawstring bags, combs, manicure kit, soap), accessories for hair or jewelry. | X Don’t include the following items prohibited by Cross Catholic Outreach: liquids/gels (shampoo, nail polish, perfume, etc.), Jolly Ranchers, chocolate, anything requiring batteries, tools, toy weapons, knives, glass or breakable objects, gift cards, medicines, vitamins. |
| ✓ If you include gum or candy, seal it in a zip lock-style bag. | X Don’t include cold weather items (scarves, gloves, etc.) as the children live in warm, tropical climates. |
| ✓ Include your $9 shipping in the provided envelope and mail it directly to Cross Catholic Outreach or pay online. This covers the cost of international delivery. | X Don’t put cash or checks in your Box of Joy. |
| ✓ Include only NEW and unused items. | |
| ✓ Return your filled Box of Joy into the collection boxes under the coat racks at the back of the church and side entrances by November 8. |
Please place any unused/empty Boxes of Joy in collection bins at the back of the church.
For more information or questions, please contact:
Dianne Altman-Weaver (altman-weaver@comcast.net; 717-343-4597), or
Cheryl Richard (yellowbreeches@protonmail.com; 717-379-6218)
Thank you, in advance, for your generosity!
