The Big Day - Boxes for Bingo 2010

The Big Day arrived and the boxes were loaded. Some of the residents saw the boxes and were very excited. We had several new seniors join us this year so they had no idea they would be leaving with such a cool gift.

A good time was had by all and I think every Senior was touched once again by this gift. Please keep us in mind for next year and save those fillers!!

Thank you!!! See you next year!!

Boxes for Bingo 2010

2010 Box packing for Seniors - the kids had a blast and 22 boxes were packed to the brim! Thank you to ALL involved!

The Christmas card box was really depleted so please save your cards for next year! You can drop them off at my mailbox anytime. A great idea for this year was from Tammy Geis who dropped off some new socks for the boxes. Each box received a pair of new socks wrapped with a bow. Thank you!

Also keep us in mind when you go on vacations or receive little samples in the mail you aren't going to use. The seniors love the little goodies we put in their boxes.

Looking forward to a great 2011!! We put out flyers in the residents halls to remind them that we play Bingo monthly hoping that by December we can double the amount of residents we make boxes for!! So we will really need fillers - keep us in mind!

Thank you!!!!!!

Boxes for Bingo - The Big Day 2009

The big day arrived and we had a full house! 18 Seniors joined us for a game of Bingo and our holiday event. With lots of volunteers to help we passed out boxes that put a sparkle in some eyes.

A holiday gift - for some the only one - a present to open during this Christmas season. Tears were shed and appreciation beyond expectation makes all the fun put into this project worth every minut

Some wanted to open the boxes immediately and others wanted to take it home to enjoy. The ones that did open took each and every item out of the box to see. Either way everyone was happy.

See you next year!!

2009 Boxes for Bingo - Getting Ready

Yet another successful year packing boxes! 21 boxes were packed to the rim with all sorts of goodies collected throughout the year. Shampoo, soaps and lotions complimented the magazines, small gifts and make-up all donated by friends and family.

The kids had a ball decorating the boxes with card tops from Christmas' past as well as packing it as full as possible.

Each box also included a Christmas card signed by the child that packed the box as well as a picture of that child. The child's age was also added to give the Seniors a feel for who they received the gift from. This year we had children from age 2 to a young teen.

Donations are being accepted all year round so please hold onto your Christmas cards, travel shampoos and soaps and any little gifty item you may not need. If you do not want to store all year please drop off at my house any time. My front porch receives fun little packages throughout the year full of little items and cards from anonoymous friends.

Thank you to all who make this project possible!!

Receiving the Shoeboxes

The third Saturday in December we delivered the boxes to the Seniors and what a great day that was! As you can see from the pictures every senior that attended received a beautifully decorated box FILLED to the top with donated items. They were all very happy and thankful to receive the gift.
Inside were Christmas cards with a picture and signature of the child that packed and decorated the box. The Seniors loved to see the children and knew that they had fun!

Packing the boxes

The kids had a wonderful time packing the boxes! Some understoond what and why they were packing and others just had fun. For those that understood what a wonderful way to introduce them to the idea of giving. For those that just had fun their year will come! Keep them involved!

The holiday cards are used to decorate the outside of the boxes and the inside of the lid. The kids use decorative scissors and glue to make the ordinary shoe boxes look like a beautifully wrapped box.

Once decorated the boxes are then filled with our little goodies consisting of shampoos, soaps, dental care, candles, picture frames, lotions, small trinket gifts etc. Magazines and books are also a huge hit with the Seniors.

Donations Collected in 2008

2008 was a great year for donations! We had enough fillers to stuff 21 boxes! We need more in 2009 so please start collecting now! Don't throw away those holiday card tops so we can replenish the box for next year! Also don't toss those shoe boxes.

Thank you for all your donations and please forward this to anyone you know that might be interested in helping.