The Origin
One month after Hurricane Katrina, a small group of 5 Quotarians gathered together in a Biloxi home to share their stories and offer each other comfort and help.  This little group was made up of the only members left of the Ms Gulf Coast club.

They felt overwhelmed at the challenges facing the people they normally serve.  There was so much need… what could they do?  The answer came as they held hands in prayer.  One member suddenly recalled a project idea inspired by Samaritan’s Purse.

“The best things come in small packages!  We can’t afford a huge toy drive, but what if we asked as many people that we could, to fill a shoebox with toys and goodies, wrap it up for Christmas, and we’ll distribute them to the children?”

Shoeboxes of Love was born.  The goal?  To collect at least 50 shoeboxes.

The Story
Because communication was difficult, the 5 friends spread the word through phone calls, text messages and emails (when possible).  One of those calls was put in to Quota International headquarters in Washington, D.C.  The office had expressed great concern about the clubs affected by Katrina, and had already started a major world-wide fundraiser throughout the 14 countries in which it has clubs.  ($50,000.00 was eventually sent directly to 3 clubs) 

A plea was sent to all Quotarians for “Shoeboxes of Love” to be sent to Gulfport, Mississippi for this project.  Over the next few weeks, 600+ boxes were delivered to my home.  My carport was filled to the ceiling!

On Christmas Eve, 2006… the same group, along with family and friends recruited for the day- pulled into the temporary tent shelter set up in Waveland.  On that foggy morning, we witnessed first hand what the power of prayer and giving can do!

“Shoeboxes of Love” has become an annual tradition of Quota.  Each year, the club “adopts” disadvantaged children on the MS Gulf Coast through various agencies (CASA, Hope Haven, DHS, etc.)  Our members, their families and friends are asked to fill a shoebox with age appropriate items and wrap them.  We deliver them to these agencies, where social workers distribute them to the children whose cases they handle.

How you Can Help
Select one of our children from the list provided to us by our service agencies. Contact a Quota member, and "adopt" one of these children. Then, fill a shoebox with age-appropriate gifts, wrap it and deliver it by deadline time (usually the second Friday in December) Some suggested items include: books, wrapped candy, toothbrushes, socks, slippers, mittens, hair items, flashlight, handheld games, jewelry, small stuffed animals, crayons, pencils, stickers, mp3 players, disposable camera, colored pens, journals. Avoid liquid items and foods which may cause allergies, such as peanuts or peanut butter

   


This photograph won an International Award of Excellence –
With all of the chaos going on around him,
this little boy could care less – he had a present!