Christmas Appeal 2020

Due to covid-19 and the horror around the world that has followed this year, Paws2Rescue are working on our 8 th Christmas shoebox appeal in partnership with our amazing friends at Fundatia Bucuria Darului non profit organisation in Romania.

Fundatia Bucuria Daului work in the Brasov county of Romania and have been working in the communities including over 20 surrounding villages for 7 years helping very low income families and children. They also have a daily cafeteria which helps 600 souls to survive, and take food packages into the communities – where without them many families cannot survive. They are literally a lifeline to thousands, and we are proud to be working with them this Christmas to bring the children your love from the UK.

Paws2Rescue: “The boy couldn’t remember when he last ate. We all tried not to cry as he devoured the dry bread as though he had never eaten before. He took his thin jacket off, with nothing on underneath he was a stick. We had a few hand knitted jumpers and this one was perfect for him. He had no socks, was shaking – it was snowing and below -10c. Children in the villages get an orange for Christmas – if they are lucky…

Whatever our thoughts on helping those at home first, maybe think about this… so many children we met with no winter shoes, clothes totally inadequate for the bitter winters. Yes this is Romania, this is Europe, but how can anyone not want to make a gesture once a year – at Christmas, to show our love from the UK to those in such desperate need.

We donate where it is most needed, whether they are orphans, low income families, HIV children or simply children who will get no other presents this year. As every year, we are also taking shoeboxes and food for the dogs – those whose need is so dire, every day of the year. It means that the dogs in our rescuers care will have one special day too.”

Fundatia Bucuria Darului: “Poverty can sometimes shape Christmas. It usually multiplies the pains and intensifies the gaps. When Santa fails to visit a family, there are always feelings such as injustice, trouble and distress that seize people. For the last 6 years, for more than 1000 children in Brasov and the poor villages around the city, we have managed to send Santa into their homes. We have offered them gifts as well as the hearts of the givers, the people willing to bring them a joy.

We have created a community and put together people willing to make a change for those less fortunate. This year, we kindly invite you to join our big family. A family where poverty does not exclude joy. A family where every child deserves to be seen, heard and helped. Disadvantaged people need us more than ever. Be part of our team and help us become the Santa for one of our children.”

How you can help:

• You can make a shoebox up with gifts
• You can visit our amazon wish list and buy an item during the month of October – this will be delivered straight to us – our wish list will be updated on our website.
• Offer to be a “collection point”
• Ask your local school or community group to join in too – it really can be fun
• If you live near Sutton in Surrey and can help us, please email us at [email protected] and let us know that you can help us to fill pallets.

The detail:

• If you want ideas what to put in your Shoebox please read on
• It doesn’t have to be a shoebox any small box is ok as long as we can lift it!

Be a collection point:

• Please email us at [email protected] if you can be a collection point
• This will be any day of your choice during late October or mid-November, maybe a two hour time slot in a public place near your home – for example a supermarket car park: You will need to take the donations in your car and store them inside your home
• We will help to arrange collection from your home to our storage unit
• PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO COVID-19 WE WOULD PREFER THAT YOU EITHER COLLECT SAFELY FROM FRIENDS ONLY OR POST YOUR SHOEBOX TO US

HOW DO I GET MY SHOEBOX OR DONATION TO YOU:

• You can post it between 1st October and 15th November to: Paws2Rescue Christmas Shoebox Appeal, c/o Big Yellow Self Storage, 12 Kimpton Park Way, Sutton, Surrey, SM3 9QS

Don’t forget the teenagers! Last year we were short of teenagers shoeboxes – we can give these to young mums too!

Simple things such as paper chains bring huge joy – it doesn’t have to cost a lot

Paws2Rescue Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2020 Ideas

Dogs and cats
Royal Canin Baby Dog Powdered Milk
Vitamins
Cod Liver Oil Capsules for dogs and cats / Fish oil tablets
Salmon Oil
Puppy vitamins
Scissors
Brushes
Antibacterial Pets Spray
Parvo Virucide
Spray Silver Antiseptic
Colloidal Silver Spray
Medicated shampoos – hibiscrub/ chlorhexidine/ketoconazole
Dorwest tummy powder
Skin cream
Aniwell Active Manuka Honey Tube
Waterproof mattress covers
Puppy pads
Waterproof beds
Metal foldable crates
Baskets

Humans
Low income families
Food/treats
dried milk, tinned fruit, instant coffee, fruit teabags, tins of tuna, mugshots, rice, packets of soup, hot chocolate sachets, biscuits, sweeties, Christmas chocolates

Toiletries
toothpaste, toothbrushes, wrapped soap, roll on deodorant, comb/brush, sanitary products, wash bag, face clothes, plasters, nail clippers, tweezers, mini shampoo, mini conditioners

Clothing
hats, scarves for winter, gloves, cosy socks, hair accessories, hair bands, bobbles

Other
jigsaws, small board games, small puzzles, playing cards, sewing kit, stationary, notebook, pens, Christmas decorations, tinsel, miniature Christmas trees

Teenagers
Girls
Individual sachet face masks, lip balm, face cleansing wipes, sanitary products, pyjamas, underwear, hot water bottle, t-shirts, nail polish, nail art, nail file, perfume, roll on deodorant, hairbrush, compact mirror, sweets, pretty notebooks and pens, pencil cases, Christmas chocolates, biscuits

Boys
deodorant, hair gel, comb, razors, aftershave, shower gel sets, boxers, socks, football bits and bobs, small games, notebooks, pens, sweets, balls, yo yo, Christmas chocolates, biscuits

Aged 9-12 year old
lip balm, lip gloss, bobbles, hairbands, pretty writing sets (fairy, unicorn, mermaid, glittery), skipping ropes, yo-yo, notebooks, felt tips, pencil cases, glitter pens, mathematics sets, calculator, sticker books, dominoes, small board games, football bits and bobs, wrestling bits and bobs, rubix cube, puzzle books, knickers, socks, pyjamas, woollies, toothbrush, hairbrush, shower gels, face cloths, sweets

Aged 6-8 year old
pyjamas, socks, slipper socks, vests, knickers, hats, scarf, gloves toys, footballs, skipping ropes, yo-yo, books, pens, pencils, crayons, glitter pens, colouring books, colour by numbers, stencils, small puzzles, pencil case, balloons, Lego, cars, dolls, biscuits

Aged 3-5 year old
vests, pyjamas, slipper socks, knickers, socks, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, character soaps, children’s body wash, children’s toothpaste and toothbrushes, face cloths, pull-ups, hair accessories, hairbrushes, toy cars, aeroplanes, dinosaurs, balls, Lego/duplo, dolls, Barbie dolls, interactive little games, dominoes, snap cards, superhero bits and bobs, jigsaws, crayons, colouring pads, sticker books, stencils, stickers, activity books, glitter pens, finger paints, pencil case, bath toys, bath sponges, small bath towels

Babies and Toddlers
nappies (all sizes), baby wipes, sudocrem, cotton balls, cotton tips, dried baby milk, dummies, bottles, Milton sterilising wipes/tablets, teething rings/toys, bibs, baby bath products, bubble bath, shampoo, comforter, small rattles, small blankets, muslin squares, talc, bath toys, books, soft sponges, bath towel, mobiles, soft baby hairbrush, baby comb, hats, scarves, mittens, activity mat (small) baby toothpaste and toothbrush, rusks

Ideally we would like to make sure the shoeboxes each have the same sort of number of gifts inside each and we suggest a minimum of 8 items in a shoebox please.

Please do NOT send any teddy bears, but new knitted jumpers of all sizes are gratefully received

Dog Food

This year, we are not carrying over to Romania on the lorry large bags of dog food. There are several reasons for this: the cost, volume and weight of the bags. The dogs in the shelter getting tummy aches if we mix up too many different types of food.

This year we are asknig if you want to send food, to donate £7 either by paypal or bank transfer.

Paypal: [email protected]

Bank: Metro. Account Name: Paws2Rescue Account Number: 13210508n Sort: 23-05-80

Once you have sent the £7, pelase email us at [email protected] we will then issue your thank you number.

We have accounts with two food manufacturers in Romania. We will buy the pallets of food from them, and they will deliver across Romania at no extra cost.

Thank you all so much for your love and kindness in being a part of Paws2Christmas 2020 in partnership with Fundatia Bucuria Darului, with the support of The Big Yellow Self Storage Company (Sutton, Surrey branch).