Currie Christmas Shoe Box Appeal 2012

Over the last few weeks willing volunteers, both pupils and staff, have been sacrificing their lunchtime to come and help with the Currie Christmas Shoe Box Appeal for 2012. The volunteers have gathered in Mrs Mackenzie’s classroom in the Modern Languages department to wrap boxes and fill them with all the donated items. The shoe boxes, filled with everything from warm winter clothes to essential toiletry items, will eventually arrive in countries across Eastern and Southern Europe just in time for Christmas!

Several pupils from class 1L1 were inspired to help out with the Shoe Box Appeal after watching a film about the project at assembly.

CCHS shoebox appeal 2012

Sara Michno said she “really enjoyed seeing all the happy faces” in the film. She was helping out so that “children who are poor can get Christmas presents and enjoy themselves!”

Megan said “they’re happy with just a toothbrush, they appreciate it so much. Some of us get iPads and they don’t get anything.” Megan spent her own free time at the weekend buying bits and pieces to fill the Christmas shoe boxes. “To see a child smile, that’s the main thing.”

Karolina from the same class didn’t mind at all coming to help during lunchtime, “it’s not a sacrifice, it’s fun!” She also admitted that watching the film during the assembly almost brought her to tears. “They get hardly anything and they were so happy”.

One of the most experienced members of the Shoe Box wrapping and packing team is Michael from class 4H3. He has helped out with the appeal every year since S1. “I like taking part to see children everywhere get a decent Christmas”, he told me. “The most important items are toothpaste, toothbrushes and soap, so they can have basic hygiene”.

Mrs Mackenzie organises the group in her classroom at lunchtime and for her it is extra special given Currie’s personal connection with the project – Miss Munro from the Drama and English department delivered the shoe boxes herself when she was in S6. The Shoe Box appeal is important for Mrs Mackenzie because, “for some children, the contents of these shoeboxes will be all they get for Christmas”.

The appeal has had the help of several other members of staff with Mrs Burns and Mrs Braisby giving up their lunchtime to wrap and fill the shoe boxes. They had help from Mrs Reid, who did a lot of present shopping for the boxes during the October holiday, and from Mrs Taylor, who publicised the appeal to the entire school by putting an advert on the television in reception.

The total number of shoe boxes wrapped up and filled to the brim with Christmas goodies was a very impressive 75! A huge thank you to all those involved who make the appeal possible! It is great to know that Currie pupils and staff are making such a difference to children’s lives at Christmas time in the poorest areas of Europe. Well done!