The Rotary Shoebox Scheme

Originally started by North West Rotary clubs in 1994, the Rotary Shoebox Scheme was then intended to provide children of Lasi, in northeast Romania with Christmas gifts. Since then, the scheme has become a national project supported not only by Rotary clubs but also by individuals, schools, companies, churches, Inner Wheel, Rotaract & Interact etc. Indeed we are delighted to welcome anyone who would like to be involved.

Each year we now send around 50,000 Shoeboxes or gifts.

Gifts are now sent out throughout the year to many different countries in Central and Eastern Europe. Toys are especially useful all year round for Birthday presents in Orphanages, Homes and Hospitals. All age groups, including teenagers, have welcomed the boxes. We have delivered to children and teenagers in orphanages, hospitals and also to street kids. To Adults in TB and AIDS hospitals. To disadvantaged families and to women’s refuges. To older folk in hostels with no supporting families.

In addition to Romania, Shoebox gifts have been delivered to Belarus, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Albania, Croatia and Kosovo.

The boxes now travel either overland by lorry, or by sea container. We use the services of International Aid Trust (IAT), a Christian Charity who have a long association with Rotary in the northwest of England and who help with both Transportation and Warehouse storage. Distribution is always through known contacts.

How the Rotary Shoebox Scheme works

District 1010 purchases the special boxes from the Rotary Trustees (a small group of Rotarians who administer the scheme). The boxes are sent ‘flat packed’ to the clubs who have ordered them.

It is then up to the club as to where to send the boxes for filling. Often local schools, children’s uniformed organisations, church groups, elderly people's homes, friends, relatives, etc., are the ones who enthusiastically fill the boxes. Once the boxes are filled they are taken to collection points - see the order form for details in our District. ORDER FORM HERE

This is now an all-year-round project with deliveries made wherever and whenever there is a need.

The person filling the box is asked to sellotape £2 to the top of the box. This is then retrieved by the local Club who, by this means, hopefully, balance their books. 

The filled boxes are then returned to the central warehouse for subsequent delivery to Eastern Europe. Once delivered the boxes are distributed by Rotary Clubs and other tried and trusted partners ensuring that your gifts go to those most in need

Box dimensions are: L 30.5cm (12") x W 15cm (6") x D 12.5cm (5")

01224 743825

07823 491 890 

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