Welcome

 

WHAT is the shoebox distribution?  For the last 10 years, a team of Rotarians has gone to northern Mexico and taken shoeboxes full of gifts and useful items. We also take cash or materials to assemble some shoeboxes of gifts on location, and enough money to purchase and  give out bags of staple food items to the adults,

 

WHO is involved in this?  Rotarians and friends from District 7080 (SW Ontario); District 5500 (Arizona); District 4100 (N Mexico); Rotaract and other volunteers.

 

WHEN does the distribution take place?  Early January each year. It is timed around the important and traditional Mexican fiesta of  “Three Kings’ Day” - the twelfth day of Christmas

 

WHERE is the distribution?   Historically it has been in Nogales, northern Mexico and we are committed to continuing there. There is a well-established relationship with the Rotarians in Nogales and those in Tucson Arizona. The team successfully began to participate in a new  distribution in January 2008 in cooperation with Sierra Vista AZ Rotarians. This second Mexican town, Agua Prieta has similar needs and social issues to Nogales. These towns and the surrounding areas are at a high elevation and it is quite desert-like. Therefore it is cold in the winter especially at night.  The people in the Colonias ( the poorest neighbourhoods ) live in nothing more than makeshift shelters and suffer greatly in the cold weather. This is not a typical tourist area; employment and the local economy are poor and the land is not productive.

 

HOW does the process happen?  The team accepts donations of items and sends them ahead, because we have the opportunity during the year for free shipping. We take with us the funds that are raised during the year, and we also take along some gift items when we fly down. On arrival, in the first day or two of January we sort these items  and decide what still needs to be purchased. The remaining gift items we need are purchased locally, where the prices are cheaper than Canada/USA and the local economy benefits in this way. In January 08, we accomplished our goal to deliver about 1,400 shoeboxes in Nogales and  400+ in Agua Prieta. When the Nogales boxes are wrapped, filled and counted, a corresponding number of tickets is given to the children in the Colonias, and they are told to come and pick up their gift at the Rotary Clubhouse in Nogales. The ticket distribution day is important because the team sees the people in their home environment in the Colonias, and the people anticipate this event with great excitement. The promise of a gift from Rotary is very special to them. On Shoebox day the children and the adults bring their tickets and wait patiently for the distribution. We try to send as few people as possible away empty-handed, as some do come without a ticket. The arrangement differs slightly In Agua Prieta where  the boxes were prepared ahead of the Canadian Team’s arrival, and we visited four schools and an orphanage to deliver the gifts, Their gratitude is apparent and the personal contact with these warm and genuinely underprivileged people HAS to be experienced. 

 

WHY a shoebox distribution?  Because it is a multi-faceted project. It is as big as it is little!  A willing volunteer can step in at any level, based on their economic situation, time commitment or physical ability. Find your comfort level and contribute in the way that works for you.  It is very straightforward for clubs or individuals to participate at any or all levels, with no ‘red tape’. Most importantly it brings a gift of Christmas joy to a child who may otherwise receive nothing. Their gratitude is the reward, and it is enormous and sincere.

 

* Recommended value of goods to fill a shoebox is $25.00Can., whereas a cash donation of $25.00 fills two boxes in Mexico.

*  Charitable donation receipts are available.

 

If you like a hands-on project with your children or grandchildren get them to help with ideas, shopping etc.

If you have no time to do the hands-on aspect, and want to give cash, we are happy to remind you that we can fill a shoebox in Mexico for half of what you spend in Canada!

If you work with a group of volunteers or can coordinate (for example) a school classroom, senior citizens’, or church members’ project, one of the shoebox team can come and help facilitate that – show you how to shop, wrap and send your boxes with us.  We are happy to help arrange such an event. Some senior citizens have knitted warm hats and mitts for us to put in shoeboxes on their behalf.

 

SUGGESTIONS;