While we spend time learning in classes, having lunch delivered to us, enjoying the celebrations of holidays, there are many in our community who are not as fortunate as we. In looking ahead to the winter holidays, the Middle School would like to coordinate a Downtown Campus service project.

The Volunteer Center of Lehigh Valley organizes an annual program, Holiday Hope Chest. Winter-themed wrapped boxes are filled with suggested items and are given to homeless and disadvantaged school-age youth in the Lehigh Valley. Since 2000, Moravian Academy Middle School has donated 1,889 boxes. This year, Lehigh Valley non-profit organizations are requesting over 10,000 boxes for children.

We are requesting donations of regular-size shoeboxes with a separate lid and pre-wrapped in winter-themed paper. Decorated photo or memory boxes are another option. In addition to shoeboxes, please see the attached list below for other items we are requesting to fill the boxes with. Items can be brought in by your child or directly mailed to 11 W. Market. There will be collection boxes in each lobby in the Downtown Campus. One will be in the Lower School main building, one in the lobby of the CE building, one in the downstairs kindergarten, one in the upstairs entrance to Pre-K and SIP kindergarten, and in each entry door for middle schoolers.

We will be accepting items and pre-wrapped boxes until Monday, November 16th. Middle School students will safely be filling the shoeboxes wearing gloves after the items remain untouched for 48 hours.

Please avoid the following items: balloons, cameras, gum, candy, food, glass items, money, religious materials, sharp Items (e.g. razors, knives, scissors) toy guns, used or opened items, violent or inappropriate music, movies, books

Thank you in advance for your support in providing “happiness in a shoebox” to as many children as possible. Please note the guidelines that have been given to us below: