Team Hope Shoebox Appeal

Plans for checking centre in Nenagh

Shoebox season has arrived and schools and individuals are busy packing boxes of hope and love for children in Eastern Europe and Africa.

In Nenagh, the local volunteer group are preparing too and are very grateful to Tipperary County Council that once again we have use of the former Rialto Cinema in Banba Square as our checking centre.

We are also heartened by the generous donations of toys, stationary items, sweets and clothes which we have received or been promised by local business and individuals. Without a shoebox this particular form of gifting doesn’t work so well done to the shoe shops whose owners and staff are saved boxes for us and hauled them to cars on busy day. Then there are the people who have covered boxes in lovely Christmas paper ready to be filled with the 4 Ws-something to wear, to write with or on, items for washing teeth and bodies and the wow factor-sweets, a soft toy or a ball to play with. Full details are on Team Hope’s website. Details of the opening date and daily opening times of the centre will be posted on the window in Banba Square from October 30.

Volunteers have a real spring in their steps this year as a result of the amazing response to the recent 5km sponsored walk. This was held so that fillers could be bought to supplement any boxes which are without any of the suggested items. The generosity of so many people has resulted in an amazing €3,585 being donated. For this the volunteers are grateful and thrilled to think of the children who will receive the results of your kindness.