We are so excited to share with you the gift of our time in packing this special box for you. We trust you will enjoy and be blessed by the contents. The picture above shows the team of individuals who shared their time, talents, treasurers, and trust (relationships) to carefully prepare, wrap, and pack this special box for you.
If you have internet access, we would love to hear from you. You may contact us at giftbox@lifemasteries.org and let us know you received the gift box. Every single gift box we put together has its own unique number. You will see your own unique code number on the bottom of this letter in red print. If you e-mail us with your unique number, we will try to connect you with one or more of the individuals who participated. Mailing Address: Life Masteries Institute, 29 W 150, Suite 201B, Warrenville, IL 60555 - USA
If you would like to include the following in the e-mail, the following it will help the individual(s) to get to know you, communicate better with you via e-mail, and remember you in their prayers: Name, e-mail, age, hobbies, what you are learning in school, something about your family/ friends, some of your life dreams and goals, and some challenges you face in any area of your life. Do not forget to include your special Gift Box ID Code Number.
Please send to giftbox@lifemasteries.org
Your special Gift Box ID Code Number: AB-031124-AAA056
Saturday, November 22, 2003 Fun Event
WOW did we ever have a ton a fun as a neighbors. We had 15 individuals who showed up for the 1st gift packing session and all had a ton of fun. We packed 55 presents and are dropping them off to Samaritans Purse to be distributed around the world to children in need.
We have decided that there are so many children who are in need that we have decided to do something once a month. Our goal is to do a minimum of 50 gift boxes a month. We would love to have you, your family, and friends join us. The current sponsoring home has room for around 100 people so there is plenty of room for lots of people. Please call 630.393.9979 or e-mail Dan Vesely dvesely@lifemasteries.org, outreach coordinator for Life Masteries Institute and he will give you directions to the sponsoring home. We are calling these Monthly Operation Shoe Box and would love for you attend. You don’t have to know anyone or better yet invite someone you do know and bring them as well. We are planning on doing it the first Saturday of every month from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm.
You assistance in helping to wrap and pack presents is enough of a gift if you would like to just plan on attending. If you would like to help in other areas, not required or expected in any way, you could bring one eating dish to share. If you would like to bring 50 to 100 of some type of gifts to put into the shoe boxes that would also be helpful but not required. A number of families go to the dollar store and you can get things very in-expensively there.
We try to have things for all ages to have fun and have a family appropriate movie. This last one was Finding Nemo on the big 7 x 8 big screen with Bose surround sound system.
Lisa V., Mom – Very exciting to think about where all the boxes are going to go, think about the children’s faces light-up, and think that they might be able to continue to communicate with us via the internet. Loved the fact that Life Masteries Institute will work to continue to touch these children for the rest of their lives and it’s not just a one time thing.
GingerAnne, Age 15 – Liked selecting things I liked and thought they would enjoy.
Jonathan, Age 13 – Like the movie, putting up Christmas lights, everyone working together.
Mark B., Father – I loved the fact that something was done to help others rather than just talk about it. It didn’t take much effort on everyone’s part but much was accomplished due to everyone working together.
Melissa, age 12 – I liked the movie, putting together the boxes for the children, wrapping the presents, loved the great food and fun together.
Rosanna, Mom - It was wonderful to see everyone working together and having the whole family doing something fun and will help make a difference in the lives of others.
Katrina, Age 8 - It was fun to watch a movie as a family.
Angela, Age 7 – Loved putting things in boxes, helping other people, and the Finding Nemo movie.
Benjama, Age 4 – Liked watching the family movie and helping to fill the boxes with toys.
Timothy, Age 2 – I liked watch the video and playing with the other kids.
Dan V., Father – Liked how we all came together as a team, got the job the done, and sent out over 50 boxes in just one evening.
Karen, Grandmother – It was great to see families enjoying themselves and having fun.
Ralph, Grandfather – I think it’s nice to really help others out.
Juan, Young Adult – It’s great to make an impact on the lives of others.
Life Masteries Institute
Gift Shoeboxes Year Round
What was the most special gift you received as a child? Memories are so dear, and we as a family are blessed to be in such a wonderful community that we have decided to see if our neighbors would be interested in doing something fun for the whole family and putting together small shoeboxes of gifts for children and young people all around the world.
Our goal is to send 1,000 or more shoeboxes to young people throughout the world. We are collaborating with one local organization (Illinois Youth Center - Warrenville), one locally based worldwide organization (Life Masteries Institute), and two other international organizations (Samaritan’s Purse and Voice of the Martyrs). Our goal is to touch a minimum of five continents through these sharing organizations.
For additional information, please call Dan Vesely, outreach coordinator for Life Masteries Institute, at 630.393.9979.
Address: 29W150 Butterfield Road, Suite 201B Warrenville, IL 60555
Please also e-mail your e-mail address to dvesely@lifemasteries.org to be kept up to date on this endeavor and for further information.
We also have scheduled a monthly get-together on the first Saturday of each month from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at someone’s home or a special location. There will be a number of fun things planned for all ages, group wrapping of presents, lots of great food, and usually a fun movie and/or game for everyone to enjoy. Please call Dan Vesely at 630.393.9979 for additional details, confirmation of location(s), and directions.
Details of Fun Event
1,000 Christmas Shoeboxes - Christmas 2003
Purpose
Touch the lives of 1,000 children and young people and share with them the gift of giving all year round. Within each box will be a number of gifts, life-changing suggestions, and a color photo and special note from everyone who packed their boxes. Every box will have a unique identification number, which the child (if he/she has access to the internet) will be able to plug into his/her web browser to communicate on an ongoing basis with those who packed the boxes or someone else who cares and will be able to provide ideas on how they can set and achieve their life dreams and goals.
All will be invited to e-mail their e-mail address to Life Masteries Institute, who will provide additional life-changing suggestions, ideas, and connections within the Life Masteries website. The goal of Life Masteries Institute will be to touch these children and young people at least once a month for the rest of their lives.
FAQ about Christmas Shoeboxes
A. What should I put in the boxes?
ANSWER: Fill your shoe box with a variety of gifts:
· Toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, plastic kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, small Etch A Sketches®, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky, etc. · School supplies: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, coloring books, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, etc. · Hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, comb, washcloth, etc. , · Other: hard candy, lollipops, mints, gum, sunglasses, flashlights with extra batteries, ball caps, socks, T-shirts, toy jewelry sets, hair clips, watches, small picture books, etc.
Do NOT include the following items:
· Used items · War-related items (toy guns, toy soldiers, knives, etc.) · Perishable items (chocolate, canned foods, crackers, etc.) · Liquids (shampoo, lotion, bath bubbles, etc.) · Medicines (vitamins, cough drops, ointment, etc.) · Breakable items (mirrors, china dolls, etc.)
You may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child who receives your box may write you back.)
B. Should I gift-wrap the box?
ANSWER: We will be having a gift-wrapping party at the Boersmas’ home and maybe one other location. There are some extra things we will be placing in the boxes, so please DO NOT gift-wrap the boxes. You can bring gift wrap if you would like when you come.
C. Where do I bring the shoeboxes when filled?
ANSWER: You can drop off the boxes at 29 W 150 Butterfield Road, Suite 201 in Warrenville.
D. Who do I call if I have any questions?
ANSWER: You may call Dan Vesely, outreach coordinator for Life Masteries, at 630-393-9979.
E. Should I contribute anything for shipping?
ANSWER: Most of the organizations do request a contribution of $5 to help cover the shipping of these boxes overseas. You can make your check out to the Life Masteries Institute, and Life Masteries will direct the shipping charges to the appropriate organization. LMI is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and your gift is tax-deductible.
F. If I would like to help but live too far away to drop the boxes off or am not able to put together a box, what can I do?
ANSWER: For roughly $15 per Christmas box, we have volunteers who will go out and purchase things to fill a box and wrap it for you. Please include $5 for shipping and handling if possible. You may make a check out to Life Masteries Institute and send it to 29 W 150 Butterfield Rd., Suite 201B, Warrenville, IL 60555. Life Masteries also takes Visa and Master Card if that is more convenient for you.
G. Can businesses contribute?
ANSWER: Absolutely. If a business wants to encourage its employees to contribute gifts, Life Masteries volunteers will drop off larger boxes for your whole office. Volunteers will then pick them up and put together the Christmas shoeboxes. Business will also receive a small four-color poster recognizing their contribution and an e-mail/ fax template of a press release that could be used to notify local publications of their participation. This is great for future years’ efforts and excellent for business as well.
H. How many boxes can I give, or can I help in a more substantial way?
ANSWER: You may contribute as many boxes as you wish, and you can help by being a leader for the Christmas box collection. Leaders can be of any age, and it’s a fun thing to do as a family as well. The following are the leadership positions available:
Regional Directors: Responsible for the collection of 200 boxes, Local Leaders: 50 boxes, Partners: 10 boxes
Saturday, November 22, 2003 Fun Event
WOW, did we ever have a ton a fun with our neighbors! 15 individuals showed up for the first gift packing session, and we all had a ton of fun. We packed 55 presents and are dropping them off to Samaritan’s Purse to be distributed around the world to children in need.
We have decided that because there are so many children in need, we would like to continue this project and make it a monthly priority. Our goal is to pack and send a minimum of 50 gift boxes a month. We would love to have you, your family, and your friends join us. The current sponsoring home has room for around 100 people, so there is plenty of room for lots of people. Please call 630.393.9979 or e-mail Dan Vesely, outreach coordinator for Life Masteries Institute, at dvesely@lifemasteries.org and he will give you directions to the sponsoring home. We are calling these events monthly “Operation: Shoebox” parties and would love for you to attend. You don’t have to know anyone and can invite someone you do know to come along. We are planning on holding these events the first Saturday of every month from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Your assistance in helping to wrap and pack presents is enough of a gift. If you would like to help in other areas, which is not required or expected in any way, you could bring one dish or snack to share. If you would like to bring “bulk” gifts of 50 to 100 to put into the shoeboxes, that would also be helpful. You can get gifts very inexpensively the dollar store!
We try to create fun for all ages and show a family-appropriate movie. This last one was Finding Nemo on a big 7’x8’ screen with a Bose surround-sound system!
Lisa V., Mom – Very exciting to think about where all the boxes are going to go, think about the children’s faces lighting up, and think that they might be able to continue to communicate with us via the internet. Loved the fact that Life Masteries Institute will work to continue to touch these children for the rest of their lives and it’s not just a one-time thing.
GingerAnne, Age 15 – Had fun buying things I liked and thought other kids would enjoy.
Jonathan, Age 13 – Like the movie, putting up Christmas lights, everyone working together.
Mark B., Dad – I loved the fact that something was done to help others rather than just talk about it. It didn’t take much effort on everyone’s part, but much was accomplished due to everyone working together.
Melissa, age 12 – I liked the movie, putting together the boxes for the children, wrapping the presents, and the great food and fun together.
Rosanna, Mom - It was wonderful to see everyone working together and having the whole family doing something fun that will help make a difference in the lives of others.
Katrina, Age 8 - It was fun to watch a movie as a family.
Angela, Age 7 – Loved putting things in boxes, helping other people, and the Finding Nemo movie.
Benjamin, Age 4 – Liked watching the family movie and helping to fill the boxes with toys.
Timothy, Age 2 – I liked to watch the video and play with the other kids.
Dan V., Father – Liked how we all came together as a team, got the job the done, and sent out over 50 boxes in just one evening.
Karen, Grandmother – It was great to see families enjoying themselves and having fun.
Ralph, Grandfather – I think it’s nice to really help others out.
Juan, Young Adult – It’s great to make an impact in the lives of others.
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