Spreading Happiness to disadvantaged children and adults.

48 boxes of goodies are on their way to Eastern Europe in the run up to Christmas, thanks to members and supporters of Taunton Vale Rotary and Inner Wheel clubs.

The Taunton Vale packing team

Over the past few weeks, Inner Wheelers have been collecting suitable gifts for adults and children of all ages.  Some items are purchased specially, some donated and most of the soft toys are hand-made by members and friends. Now they’ve been packed into ‘shoe boxes’ and sent on their way.

The assembly line

Distribution is organised by the Rotary Shoe Box scheme, www.rotaryshoebox.org, a not-for-profit charity run entirely by volunteers with no paid employees. Their mission is – “to spread a little happiness to disadvantaged children and adults in Eastern Europe.”

Ruth Jenkins, who organises the scheme locally says: “It is particularly nice that we’ve been able to include so many things that have been hand crafted locally by people here in the Taunton area. It is heartening to know that such people are willing to give up their time to support those in other countries who have so little. We’d also like to thank colleagues at Yeovil I.W. Club who purchased and packed 10 of the boxes this year.”

One of those delivering boxes on behalf of Rotary earlier this year said – “Families there, welcomed us with eyes full of emotion and a kind of joy that words can barely describe.”

If you would like to support this project please get in touch via hello@tauntonvalerotary.org.uk using 'shoe box' as the subject.