HUNDREDS of shoeboxes packed with useful stuff will be given to the homeless and elderly this Christmas.
The Barnsley Homeless Christmas Shoebox Appeal is being co-ordinated by Monk Bretton mum Gemma Buckley.
She wants to give a double-whammy of goodness during the festive season by giving a little gift to rough sleepers, the homeless, elderly people who may not have family at Christmas - as well as the dogs of the homeless.
Gemma, 33, said every Christmas the homeless not only have to deal with the fact that they have nowhere to live, as well as other issues, but also have to deal with the ‘happy’ part of the year, sometimes alone.
That’s why she is calling on local folk to get involved and donate present-packed shoeboxes, which will be handed out at a special Christmas lunch at Barnsley Churches Drop-in Project on Pitt Street in the town centre.
The idea of the appeal is to wrap a shoebox in Christmas paper, stuffing it with useful things such as hats, socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, face wipes, sanitary products, packet soups and drink sachets for adults, including rough sleepers. Ideal items can also include sleeping bags, rucksacks and coats. They can also be tailored to young adults to include sewing kits, book vouchers, make-up and aftershaves.
For the elderly items such as hand creams, sweets and chocolates, luxury tinned food like salmon and biscuits would be a good idea. When it comes to pets, suggestions are tinned and sachet food, bowls, toys, treats, flea treatments and dental care.
Gemma said: “The main charity we are supporting is Barnsley Churches Drop-in Project who are doing a Christmas lunch this year but we’re also doing boxes for the elderly.
“The idea is people wrap the shoebox and fill it with what they feel is appropriate.
“If some boxes are lacking some of the important stuff what I have done is decided to buy all these extra bits like hats, gloves, toothpaste and things so I can fill the boxes out a bit.”
Donated shoe boxes can be taken to drop-off points across the borough before being collected up so Gemma can check them to ensure there is nothing inside that could be a danger to anyone.
Barnsley storage company Storefirst Barnsley at Hoyland has agreed to be a drop off point and also to collect all the shoeboxes - free of charge - and agreed to drop the boxes off.
Gemma was blown away by the incredible generosity shown by Barnsley folk for last year’s appeal and is hoping people will find it in their hearts to do the same this year so those who receive a shoe box will feel someone does care.
“People are generous,” Gemma said.
“Last year we did 240 boxes and absolutely smashed it.
“This year I hope we can do the same. We need 150 boxes for the drop-in and about 100 boxes for Holden House.”
She said any extra boxes for dogs will be split between local rescue charities.
The deadline for drop-offs in Saturday, December 9 and boxes will be collected on December 11. The last date for donations is December 15 but these need to be taken directly to Storefirst.
For more information search Facebook for Barnsley Homeless Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2017.
Drop off points:
Dearne Valley Dental Practice, High Street, Goldthorpe;
Darfield Dental Practice, School Street, Darfield;
Grimethorpe and Shafton Dental Practice, Cemetery Road, Grimethorpe;
Wishes of Cudworth, Barnsley Road, Cudworth;
Darton Dental Practice, Church Street, Darton;
Worsbrough Dental Practice, Park Road, Barnsley;
MyDentist, George Street, Wombwell;
Storefirst Barnsley, Ashroyd Business Park, Hoyland;
MyDentist, High Street, Penistone.
