SSB RRR

It would be remiss of me not to mention one of my passions and the reason I have been so quiet over the past 2 weeks. I coordinate the PE chapter of the Santa Shoebox Project and last weekend was the weekend during which our fantastic donors, bring their lovingly filled and beautifully wrapped presents in. For those who need a bit of a lesson on this charity- through applications to be recipients of these gifts, we (the committee) identify, visit and assess these very needy facilities. The process starts in April of every year. This is our 11th year, which culminates in a committee member personally handing your (the donors) INDIVIDUALLY named and labelled, box to the correct child. You, the donor, have selected a child's name, age, sex and clothing size and filled this gift with 8 essential items: toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, face cloth, sweets, toy, educational item and an item of clothing. Drop off weekend is a 2 day process during which (this year) 3000 boxes arrive to be checked for all 8 items and sorted into each facility for ease of transport. It is a VERY STRESSFUL time, as we eagerly await ALL OUR promised gifts to be delivered AND filled correctly. Well, PE did it once again- yes there was a 3% no show. It is one of the reasons we have "extras" built in. Another reason is that there are always new children that have joined these home/facilities/schools since our name lists go live for selection. To top it off EVERYTHING is done and managed via an online system. From application, to assessment, to volunteering and donating. The joy of these children receiving,often their first time, BRAND NEW items, brings joy and plenty tears of happiness. I am grateful to our local sponsors Baywest Mall and Angelic Wonders and national sponsor Laser Logistics, without which 2972 children in and around PE would not get to feel so cherished. And of course ALL the volunteers that rotate over those 2 days. None of this would be possible without the core group of volunteers, the sub coordinators, whom do ALL the liaising with the recipients and children care takers.
REDUCE the time you spend on self and think of volunteering some of it to give to others; REUSE those moments that make you feel like you are doing something more and keep on reusing them to bring happiness and RECYCLE those moments when you know you are doing something right- keep on going again and again.

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