Every year at VIVA, we ask our fabulous members to donate to a charity – under our Christmas Tree.

This year, we have chosen “Shoe Boxes of Love” as our chosen charity.

Shoe Boxes of Love  is dedicated to providing love and hope to those affected by Australian disasters.

​Shoe Boxes of Love provide love, hope, and support to those that are affected by a disaster, through the provision of “shoe boxes of love”, or shoe box size boxes of essential and luxury items.

Shoe Boxes of Love provides the wider community with an affordable, meaningful and practical way of contributing to disaster relief efforts.

This non for profit organisation.

See below how you can donate;

Putting together a shoe box of love is lots of fun!
Think about the items you use each day – which items can’t you go without? These are exactly the types of items you could include.

Our lists below provide some suggestions on what you might like to include in your box. Adding the items listed as ‘essential’ as a minimum reduces the need for us to add in those items.

Research and feedback received from people affected by previous disasters shows that receiving a box of well thought out luxury items is much more beneficial to the healing and recovery process.

Please note that for health and safety reasons, we do not accept ANY second hand items, furniture, electrical goods or food.

Please remember to clearly label your box with the intendend recipient’s age and gender (eg. Girl, 3-5 years).

​Suggested items for boxes

​Baby (Boy/Girl)

• Dummy
• Disposable camera
• Bottle
• Teething gel
• Baby wipes
• Bibs
• Baby lotion
• Barrier cream
• Jump suits
• Socks
• Rattles
• Small teddy bear

Female (Adult/Teen)

Essentials

• Toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Soap/Body wash
• Sanitary items
• Roll on deodorant
• Razors

Luxuries

• Face washer/hand towel
• Small mirror
• Moisturizer
• Bobby pins
• Scented candles
• Mascara
• Blush
• Tinted moisturizer
• Emery boards/files
• Hair products
• Face wipes
• Lip gloss
• iTunes vouchers

​A few key points that might help with putting your shoe box of love together:

1. Whilst we endeavour to supply recipients with the essentials,it is important that our boxes are also viewed as a gift – a gift of love and hope, and a reason to smile.
2. For shipping and logistic reasons, please pack items securely in a shoe box (or similar sized box). Five litre plastic containers are perfect.
3. Items such as bubble bath or products that are likely to leak can be sealed in a ziplock bag for transport purposes.
4. For safety and security reasons, please do not seal or wrap your shoe box of love.
5. Don’t forget to personalise your Shoe Box of Love by writing your own note showing your support, and add it in to your box!

 Male (Adult/Teen)