Pupils show the true meaning of Christmas with Shoe Boxes
Pupils at Knockbridge National School demonstrated the true meaning of Christmas with what principal Mr Brian McDonnell described as ‘ a fantastic response’ to the annual Hope Christmas Shoe Box Appeal.
With the help of their parents, a total of 161 boxes were collected , which shatters the previous school record of 105!
Ms. Clarke’s 6th class ,who organised this worthy charitable appeal were delighted with the efforts of so many families who participated especially the McGahon family who brought in five boxes!
In addition to the boxes, total cash donations to the fund amounted to €568.
Meanwhile, pupils in nearby Tallanstown National School also excelled themselves this year when they collected a record 104 shoe boxes.
Third class teacher Ms Evonne Hanratty said she was ‘absolutely delighted’ with the response.
The shoe boxes, wrapped with festival paper and filled with special treats such as pens and notebooks, hats and scarves, combs and toothbrushes and toys, will find their way into the homes of disadvantaged children in Africa and Eastern Europe over the Christmas period.
Last year, a total of 3,520 shoe boxes for boys and girls were collected in the Dundalk area and were distributed to children in Burundi, which is one of the poorest countries in the developing world. The shoe boxes were distributed by A.R.M., the country’s largest indigenous NGO, which works in the capital city as well as rural towns and villages and according to Project Hope, ‘ the children are hugely impacted by the generosity of the people all across Ireland’.
ARM provide education, medical care and a church for the poor, for refugees and war orphans.