Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems Shoebox Gift Project: Spreading Joy, One Box at a Time

The Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems launched its annual Shoebox Gift Project in November 2025, with collection day set on December 15, 2025. Through a simple yet meaningful act—filling a shoebox with toys, school supplies, personal care items, and a special “WOW” gift—supporters helped bring smiles to 100 kindergarten pupils from the day care centers of Lubao, Pampanga.

The project gained strong community engagement after the club published its solicitation post on the KC–Lubao Gems Facebook page, which Kiwanians actively shared to extend its reach.


The Impact of the Shoebox Project

This initiative extends far beyond giving small presents. It creates:

1. Emotional Uplift

Many children experiencing economic hardship rarely receive personalized gifts. Opening a box prepared especially for them reinforces their sense of value and belonging.

2. Educational Support

Practical school supplies such as pencils, crayons, and notebooks help young learners stay motivated and prepared for their classes.

3. Health and Hygiene Awareness

Personal care items encourage good hygiene habits at an early age—an essential part of a child’s overall well-being.

4. A Memorable Holiday Experience

The Shoebox Project brings excitement during the festive season. For many children, the gifts become treasured keepsakes they use long after the holidays.


A Child’s Story: The Smile That Said Everything

During the distribution, one child—let’s call her Mia—stood quietly at the back of the room. When a volunteer handed her a brightly wrapped shoebox, her eyes widened in disbelief. She carefully lifted the lid and gasped when she saw a soft cuddly toy sitting on top of crayons, markers, a new toothbrush, and a pair of colorful socks.

Mia hugged the toy tightly, her smile stretching from ear to ear. She kept looking back at the box, touching each item as if confirming it was truly hers. When she found the handwritten note tucked inside—along with a small photo of the donor—her reaction was pure joy. She showed it proudly to her friends and teachers, repeating, “May nagbigay po talaga sa akin.”

Her laughter and excitement captured exactly why this project matters. A simple box, thoughtfully filled, made her feel seen, remembered, and loved.


What to Put in a Shoebox

Supporters were encouraged to include items that are useful, fun, and child-friendly:

Write

  • Pens and pencils
  • Crayons
  • Paper or copybooks
  • Coloring books
  • Markers
  • Sharpeners
  • Erasers

Wash

  • Wrapped bar soap
  • Hairbrush or comb
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Facecloths

Wear

  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Flip-flops
  • Hat, scarf, or gloves

WOW Item

A special surprise that brings instant excitement, such as:

  • Doll or action figure
  • Stuffed toy
  • Deflated football with pump
  • Large toy item placed outside the shoebox

No food or chocolate was included to avoid melting in the heat.

Many donors also added a personal note and photo, which often became the children’s favorite part of the box.


A Call to Serve

The shoebox gifts were joyfully distributed on December 22, 2025, and the event was a resounding success, marked by full attendance of the 100 kindergarten beneficiaries and the enthusiastic support of volunteers. Its success stemmed from the community’s generous donations, seamless coordination by the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems, and the children’s heartfelt excitement as they received their gifts.

Projects like this are possible because of people who choose to give, share, and uplift. If you wish to support more children in Lubao and nearby communities, consider donating, volunteering, or joining the Kiwanis Club of Lubao Gems.

Together, we can continue to create moments of joy—one child, one box, and one act of kindness at a time.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Text