Starting this Saturday, November 23, the Émoi de l'Année association is organizing its fifth edition of Solidarity Christmas Boxes. Aimed at people in precarious or isolated situations, this collection mobilizes individuals, associations and businesses to offer a little comfort during the holiday season.
The Émoi de l’Année association is made up of seven members
active: Estelle, Valérie, Amélie, Françoise, Jonathan, Cyrille and Isabelle. – © The Emotion of the Year
The Émoi de l'Année association announces the launch, this Saturday, November 23, of the fifth edition of its Solidarity Christmas Boxes collection in Maine-et-Loire.
This action, mobilizing individuals, businesses and associations, aims to bring a moment of comfort to people in precarious or isolated situations during the end-of-year holidays.
5,000 boxes collected in 2023
The concept of Christmas Boxes is based on citizen and collective mobilization. Participants are invited to fill shoebox-type boxes with five distinct elements: an object to warm up (scarf, hat, sweater, hot water bottle), a treat, a care product, entertainment (book, game, headphones) and a personal message. Once made, the boxes must be packaged in such a way as to allow them to be checked, before being dropped off at one of the department's many collection points.
These contributions are then sorted and classified by categories (age, gender, specific need) by volunteers. They are subsequently redistributed to beneficiaries by partner associations, such as Restos du Cœur or SOS Femmes, which are responsible for direct distribution. In 2023, the operation made it possible to collect and redistribute more than 5,000 boxes.
« If the boxes for children rarely run out every year, the count is not reached for men and sometimes also for adolescents », Specifies the association.
Last year, 5,000 boxes were distributed. – © The Emotion of the Year
A collective effort
In addition to box donations, the association encourages businesses, schools and sports clubs to get involved through internal collections or group initiatives. Merchants can also contribute by providing specific items, such as chocolates or warm clothing. Finally, financial donations make it possible to complete the missing boxes, particularly in the most under-resourced categories.
To carry out the operation, which runs until December 18, the Émoi de l'Année relies on around forty regular volunteers and calls for strengthening these numbers. “ Any help is welcome » to ensure logistics, from sorting boxes to their distribution to partner associations.
« If you don't have time to make a box, you can also help the association buy enough to complete the boxes or make some for the categories for which they are most lacking by doing », Specifies the association. A contribution that can be paid via the HelloAsso website.
Practical details, including the list of collection points, methods of participation as well as inspiration for gifts, are available on the association's website.
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