Help us bring extra smiles to children this holiday season by filling a shoe box (or two or three!) with new toys and gifts for children in the community. Watch the video above from last year that explains what it is! This program supports our regional nonprofit partners who support youth in the community through their programs and services. Our partner organization and GBLV has identified over 10,000 children in need across 34 of our partners.

2 Ways you can Help this Year!

Sign up to fill, wrap and drop off a box or boxes

Send a donation of $25 and GBLV will make a box in your name

Holiday Hope Chests Frequently Asked Questions

Do the items have to be new or can they be used?

All items do need to be new, we cannot accept used items.

What amount should I spend per box (the approximate value)?

About $25 per box is a good ballpark figure.

Can I request specific age/gender groups for my boxes?

Yes, if you would like to be able to select which age/gender boxes please reach out to see what we have available.

How can I get suggestions for what items are appropriate for my gender/age group?

Can I put gift cards in the boxes?

Gift cards can be appropriate for some of the boxes. We recommend a $5 to $10 gift card for children ages 8-14 and a $15-$20 gift card for ages 15 and up. If possible, please include other items in addition to the gift cards in your box.

Can I put candy or food in the boxes?

No, due to allergies, we cannot allow any food of any kind in the boxes. Please carefully read the suggested items sheet

Where and when can I drop off my filled shoeboxes?

At our house in Bethlehem or a few places around the Lehigh Valley. Please contact us if you’d like to arrange drop off as locations change often.

Can shoeboxes have flip-tops?

Yes, you can use shoeboxes that have a removable lid or one that is connected. Please make sure to
wrap both the lid and the top so that the box can still be opened after it has been wrapped. Do not
wrap any of the items in the box. Try to avoid big boxes like ones for boots.

How do I wrap a shoebox with a flip-top lid?

Here’s a great video demonstration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uug4iSzprCo Remember
that the box should still be able to be opened and that the items inside are not wrapped.

How do I wrap a shoebox with a removable lid?

Wrap the lid and the box separately. The box should still be able to be opened after it has been
wrapped. Please do not wrap the items in the box.

Does the shoebox need to be wrapped if it has a decorative pattern? Or can I use decorated boxes that are shoebox sized?

We prefer that all shoeboxes are wrapped. However, if the shoebox has a holiday pattern on it that
looks like a wrapped gift, you do not need to wrap it. If you find boxes that are already decorated to
look like a wrapped gift and are the same dimensions as a shoebox, those can be substituted.

I want to do a collection with my office/church/club etc., how can we coordinate it?

This is an excellent project to do with a group of people. There are many ways it can be done. Some
groups have their members buy toys and collect them all in a drive. Then a subset of people wrap
boxes, organize the items, and coordinate with the GBLV. Other groups have their
members sign up for certain age/gender groups and they shop, wrap, and assemble the boxes.

What else do you need?

We are always looking for:

• Empty Shoebox’s – This is always our biggest need. If anyone can collect empty shoeboxes for us or if you know a connection for bulk shoeboxes that would be a huge help!

• Wrapping Boxes – If you’d like to help wrap empty boxes we always could use the helo

• Pick Ups and Drop Off – Help with collecting donations

• Many more, if you’re interested in volunteering for GBLV please reach out to us at info@givebacklv.com