Head Start Shoeboxes

After years of participating in the international “shoebox” program at Christmas, Medina Presbyterian adapted the idea in 2018 as an outreach project to children in the Head Start preschool centers in Medina County. The following year, other churches were recruited to allow us to serve children in Wayne County, as well. Working in cooperation with the staff of the Head Start centers, and standard assortment of gifts was developed to that each child receives a reusable plastic ‘shoebox’ containing a warm hat and mittens, three pairs of socks, three age-appropriate books, a coloring book and crayon, a child’s toothbrush and toothpaste, and an assortment of toys and treats. The Head Start Shoebox program is now gearing up for its fifth year.

Families with younger children in the Early Head Start program also receive gift bags with socks, toys, and a board book.

Your donations of items for the shoeboxes can be brought to the church. (There’s a bin on the front porch for after-hours dropoffs) 

Financial contributions are also gratefully received, since we typically need to buy some items to supplement those that are donated. Checks can be mailed to the church marked “Shoebox,” and donations can be made using the Online Giving tool on our Home Page.

The 2024 Head Start Shoebox Project

(Inventory as of November 14, 2024)

Items needed:                                                            Total Needed                    On Hand

Plastic boxes                                                                      255                                   244

Knitted hats                                                                        255                                   306

Gloves or mittens (pairs)                                                  255                                    451

Toddlers’ Socks (pairs)                                                      765                                    304

Coloring books                                                                   255                                    207

Boxes of crayons                                                               255                                     254

Kids’ toothbrushes                                                            255                                      434

Tubes of kids’ toothpaste                                                 255                                       57

Kids’ band-aids                                                                    255                                    106

Books (Will be ordered through Barnes & Noble) 

Small gift Bags for Early HS kids                                        76

Baby Socks (pairs)                                                                76

Board books (from B&N) 

Small baby toys                                                                    76

Wrapping paper and tape

 Treats – no nuts, chocolate or hard candy, please