A shoe box filled with goodies, for the children in Africa.. Any Ideas?

My daughters Nursery have suggested that we donate a shoe box with goodies to be posted for Christmas.





I was thinking....


Lots of paper or a notebook


Pens, pencils etc


Stickers


Sweets


Tennis ball





It will be sent to Children aged 4-13 years.





I also want to give them something that is beneficial...


Any Ideas?

A shoe box filled with goodies, for the children in Africa.. Any Ideas?
i think your ideas are pretty spot on, and good for you for doing this. you have inspired me to do the same. a none self centered act, more people should be like you. good luck and i hope you daughters nursery does well with the donations.
Reply:American Passports


Social Security Cards


U.S Birth Certificates


Wads of Cash





Stuff that can be useful. Books and pencils are of no use to them. If they are getting shot at on a daily basis. Who will concentrate on learning if they are hungry?





Unless the underlying problems affecting Africa are dealt with first your efforts will be in vain.





One thing that will help would be condoms, send them a shoebox full of condoms. Maybe they'll stop bringing kids into the world when they know that they cannot feed them.
Reply:I think items that would be beneficial to children in Africa would be: baseball-type hats, flip flop shoes or little white sneakers, socks or slipper socks, lotion with SPF protection, toothbrush %26amp; paste, scented body wash or little soaps, change purses with change in them, harmonica, little games like jacks, jump ropes, old maid or go fish, uno, etc... I think doing these little boxes is a wonderful way to get children involved in the true meaning of Christmas and giving. I'm going to see if I can get my company involved in doing the same thing here. Happy Holidays!
Reply:When we've sent them to Eastern Europe in the past, we've sent things like toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, flannel, hairbrush or comb, toys, pens, paper, pencils, erasers, sharpeners, a card and photos of our children. No sweets.
Reply:Pork rinds, Cheetos, Mentos, Graham Crackers





Coach
Reply:How about unwanted or new kids clothes, T-shirts, shorts, socks, basball caps, small sizes would not take a lot of space, try a ladies boots box instead of shoes.
Reply:water purification tablets.


anti malaria pills


antibiotics


condoms
Reply:Beneficial? Could you include a simple plan for a sanitation system to build as a school project? Or get an engineer to design a system for tap water? Again, school project.





I wouldn't send sweets personally. We love them in the West, but they have different taste in Africa. A newspaper I worked for in Uk once rescued a tortured African boy and brought him over to England for treatment. Of course, readers sent him lots of chocolate. Incredibly he didn't like it!!! He was used to very simple but quite spicy savoury food, and the sweetness of chocolate was revolting to him.
Reply:What's everyones fascination with AFRICA????? There are so MANY children here in the US that need help too. Why not look here first????





Games are good choices, dolls, tonka trucks or hotwheels is a good choice too.
Reply:Make sure you put some Twinkies in that box. They have no expiration date. They'll love Twinkies. Oh, and some little Debbie oatmeal cream pies yummy.
Reply:what a wonderful idea,but being ever the grump, can i saay, why not send money, accompanied by an accountant, responsible for spending the money in the intended way, who must return with appropriate till receits, for every penny spent. we have all loved and taken from africa for a long time, glad we are putting back something now. lol.
Reply:A wonderful idea!


Suggestions of mine are:


Bottled / Gallons of Water


Water Bottles for the children.


Clothes


Rubber balls


Jump Ropes


Coloring Books and Crayons


Stickers


Colored Pencils


Yarn


Dolls and Trucks


Construction Paper


Non perishable items only


No sweets or chocolate
Reply:Seeds to grow food.
Reply:tennis ball is real good abottlte of vitamins can goods first aid items bug repellent (alot of malaria)
Reply:My high school is doing it, i don't think you are aloud food, so no sweets. What you should do is, gather clothes or health care accessories, for one person.


Example for a young girl





toothbrush and paste


hair brush


girly stuff
Reply:You should only send non-perishable items like canned food, otherwise the sweets will be rotten by the time they get there and will be no good to anyone.
Reply:Try giving them the Fishing lines, hooks and sinkers - little chidren's books that can last them a life time in reading it.


Will be a great help if they know how to read it.
Reply:Include some energy bars (power bar, balance, Zone) They are nutritious, taste good, and provide energy.


If you send pecils, remember a small sharpener.
Reply:books


coloring books


crayons


playing cards


dolls








anything works.............I make a box for Samaritan's Purse every year.
Reply:any drawing implements would be awesome
Reply:Nice Idea





Copied %26amp; Pasted





The organization's website suggests to donors that they use a standard size shoe box or small plastic container with a lid and fill it with small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), school supplies from picture books and solar calculators to pens and crayons, hygiene items such as toothbrushes, hard candy, gum, T-shirts, socks, sunglasses, toy jewelary and other items.





Samaritan's Purse recommends enclosing your name and address, and possibly a photo, because the recipient may write to you.





It is also suggested that you DON'T put religious articles in your shoe box
Reply:Pencils for sure, there will be no pen refills. Candy will melt.


Deflated soccer balls are great for kids of any age. think light...dehydrated oatmeal packets, those tinfoil packets of tuna, dehydrated fruits, foam nerf toys (put in one of those space bags, take out the air and viola! you can send a bunch in a small space!)


I hope space bags come in small enough sizes to fit in a shoe box...good luck and have fun doing this!
Reply:i've heard about a company called fairpack.


they do a nice line in hampers.


just in time for christmas.


now thats what i call service.
Reply:shoes.
Reply:we also used to give soap, toothbrush etc
Reply:Shoes... ho ho ho...





Ahem.





How about wind up radio (although I've not idea what this costs).


football.


t-shirts?



flower