Shoeboxes of Joy started for the elderly

Season Long is starting up a Wahkiakum chapter of Shoeboxes of Joy, a Christmas program with origins in Pacific County.

Shoeboxes of Joy was created by a woman named De Ann Kettwig, who, according to information provided by Long, was looking for a way to reach out to local elderly and disabled residents who were without family during the holidays, by bringing them a special and useful gift.

Long initially got involved in the project while living in Chinook, establishing a “Chinook Route.” It expanded Kettwig’s program, and brought happiness to lonely members in her community.

She hopes to do it again here. She reached out to her friend, she said, and “was given the opportunity to join forces and umbrella under her 501c3.”

“Every box will stay in Wahkiakum and in the outskirts of Naselle,” Long wrote in an email. “With a heart for service and building community, this project isn't intended for just the holiday season.”

Long hopes that the volunteers who will be assigned delivery routes will accept one within their neighborhood and remember their neighbors year round.

Shoebox tops and bottoms should be wrapped separately, to allow easy access for the recipient and filled with suggested items including food like soup, chili, crackers, cookies, granola bars, fruit cups, applesauce, and invidious boxed juice, or Ensure; personal care items like small size shampoos and conditioners, lotion, soap, deodorant, nail clippers or files, shaving cream, brushes or combs; and gift items like hats, gloves, socks, crossword puzzle books, postcards or notecards with postage, a deck of cards, flashlight and batteries, or small decorative items.

For more information and a complete list of ideas on what to put in a shoebox, look for a flyer, which can be found on the Shoeboxes of Joy Wahkiakum Facebook page, at the Chamber of Commerce, or at several local businesses.

Financial contributions may be made at the Bank of the Pacific into the "Shoeboxes of Joy Wahkiakum" account.

If you know someone who would benefit from a Shoebox of Joy, contact Season Long at shoeboxesofjoywahkiakum@gmail.com or call 360-215-5281. The forms can also be found at the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce or on Shoeboxes of Joy Wahkiakum on Facebook.

Items can be donated by bringing them to the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce, Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the West End Food Pantry on Thursday from 1-5 p.m., St. Catherine's Church, or the box-filling party following the Community Cakes and Coffee breakfast at the Skamokawa Grange on December 15 at 11 a.m.

Completed shoeboxes should be dropped off at the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce by December 19 or call 360-215-5281 for more options.