Shoeboxes, Eastern Europe
Shoebox Appeal 2025: Over 60,000 Gifts Bringing Hope to Children Across Europe
Jan
The Teams4U Shoebox Appeal 2025 has once again demonstrated the extraordinary power of compassion.
Thanks to the remarkable dedication of our volunteers, regional coordinators, donors, partner organisations, and drop-off venues across the UK,
over 60,000 shoebox gifts were collected, processed, and delivered to children living in challenging circumstances across Europe.
Each shoebox carried a message of dignity, joy, and hope — a reminder to every child that they are not forgotten.
A Truly International Effort
Distribution teams and trusted partners helped deliver shoeboxes into:
- Romania – Oradea and remote Bihor County villages
- Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Moldova – including communities around the capital Chișinău
- Ukraine – Odessa, Sumy, Kharkov, Kramatorsk, Slavyansk, Nikolaev, Zaporozhzhia, and Dnipro
- Georgia – container en route by sea to the Red Cross
Each journey represents months of preparation, hundreds of volunteers, and a shared belief that every child deserves joy.
Gemma Hunt: Shoebox Appeal Ambassador 2025
2025 proudly marked our first year with Gemma Hunt as the official Teams4U Shoebox Appeal Ambassador.
Gemma brought warmth, visibility, and renewed enthusiasm to the appeal, helping open new doors and raise public awareness.
“The shoebox appeal is so much more than just goodies in a box — it’s a chance for each child to feel seen, appreciated and loved. The boxes take moments to put together, but the joy they bring lasts.”
Gemma Hunt
Romania: Oradea & Bihor County Distribution
Teams4U volunteers spent December distributing shoeboxes across Bihor County — from Roma settlements outside Oradea to tiny mountain villages where winter hardship is profound.
Roma communities welcomed the team with overwhelming excitement. Working through community leaders and partner
Raul Gherle, every child received a carefully selected gift.
“Just look around! For some of these kids it’s their first and maybe the only present they will receive this Christmas. It makes an amazing difference.”
Raul Gherle – Partner in Oradea
In remote mountain schools, children opened their boxes with wonder — proudly wearing hats, gloves, and scarves the moment they were unwrapped.
“These shoeboxes reached children who had never received a Christmas gift before.
For many families, the box brought joy not just to the children, but to the parents who could not afford gifts.”
Lucian Pascut – Partner in Suceava
Bosnia & Herzegovina: Spreading Hope Across Communities
In Bosnia, Teams4U volunteers visited schools, nurseries, disability centres, and rural communities including Breza and Ilijaš — working alongside the Red Cross to deliver shoeboxes and home boxes.
The team also witnessed the continuing impact of the 1990s conflict, including a powerful visit to Sarajevo’s wartime supply tunnels.
Read the full Bosnia report here:
Shoebox Distribution Bosnia 2025
Home Box Distribution – Bosnia
“An eye opener — the difference the home boxes make is incredible. The gratitude was overwhelming.”
Claire Nolan – Volunteer
Moldova: Reaching Children in Chișinău
Our partner team in Moldova distributed thousands of shoeboxes to children in and around Chișinău.
Boxes reached homes, community groups, and rural families facing economic hardship.
“The joy these gifts bring is indescribable. Thank you to every person who packed a box — you have brought real happiness to our children.”
Alexandru Sanduleac – Partner in Moldova
Ukraine: Delivering Gifts in the Midst of Conflict
Despite ongoing conflict, Teams4U partners carried out extensive deliveries across Ukraine, reaching children in:
- Odessa
- Sumy
- Kharkov
- Kramatorsk
- Slavyansk
- Nikolaev
- Zaporozhzhia
- Dnipro
Simon’s Visit to Ukraine
Simon, Teams4U Shoebox Project Manager, recently returned from Ukraine after joining our partner
Vova Horelov to deliver shoeboxes directly to children in Zaporozhzhia and Dnipro — including displaced children from Mariupol supported by the organisation I Am Mariupol. Read more here.
“In Zaporizhzhia today, I’m just the messenger. The real magic is telling children from Mariupol that these gifts come with love from kids in the UK who want them to know they aren’t forgotten.”
Simon Cooke – Shoebox Project Manager
First Reactions from the Bosnia Trip
Georgia: Shipment En Route
A full container of shoeboxes is currently travelling by sea to Georgia, where the Red Cross will distribute
them to vulnerable children upon arrival.
Thank You — Volunteers, Donors, Coordinators & Drop-Off Points
The Shoebox Appeal succeeds only because of the combined efforts of thousands:
- volunteers who sort, carry, pack, process, and travel
- regional and national coordinators who keep the appeal running
- schools, churches, businesses, and groups who pack boxes with love
- venues who served as drop-off points
- financial supporters who make transport possible
Every shoebox is a testament to your compassion.
