Dublin schools and groups urged to join 2026 Team Hope shoebox appeal

Dublin schools, families and community groups have been called on to take part in the 2026 Team Hope Christmas shoebox appeal before the collection deadline on 10 November.

Last year Dublin contributed 26,500 shoeboxes, helping the charity reach its three‑millionth shoebox gift. The shoeboxes were sent to children in Eswatini, Malawi, Albania, Burkina Faso, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Team Hope aims to send 200,000 shoeboxes filled with presents from Ireland to Africa and Eastern Europe for children who might otherwise miss out on Christmas gifts. Participants can create their own boxes or donate €25 for a box to be made and delivered.

Each shoebox contains items in four categories – Wear (clothing), Wash (soap, toothpaste, toothbrush), Write (colouring books, crayons, markers) and Wow (toys and sweets). The organisation also runs community development projects that strengthen families and build resilience.

CEO Deborah Lowry said the shoeboxes represent a simple yet powerful act of kindness for tens of thousands of children worldwide. She highlighted stories such as a child in Burundi opening an Irish shoebox and a mother of nine who started a catering business after taking part in a Team Hope programme.

The appeal was launched at FCJ Secondary School in Bunclody, Co Wexford, which has filled more than 30,000 shoeboxes over the past two decades. Completed boxes can be dropped off at 400 locations nationwide or any Mr Price outlet between 1 November and 10 November, with donations accepted until Christmas Eve via teamhope.ie.

Source: Dublin Gazette. Photo: Markus Winkler / Pexels.