Spreading Joy and Kindness - DCSZ Shoebox Appeal Project

We are delighted to share the heartwarming success of our recent visit to Children's Hospital of Soochow University as part of the Shoebox Appeal Project.

A group of Year 7 students, accompanied by dedicated staff, had the privilege of delivering 62 boxes of gifts and 34 cards to the hospital, marking the largest donation in the history of our Shoebox Appeal project in January.

The visit was a truly touching experience as we interacted with the children, especially those bravely battling Leukemia. The smiles that lit up their faces upon receiving the gifts were priceless, making our time spent with them incredibly rewarding.

The staff and children at the hospital expressed immense joy and gratitude for the thoughtful gifts and the visit from our students. Our community support and encouragement have been instrumental in making this donation possible, and we are sincerely grateful for the kindness.

The Shoebox Appeal Project not only brought joy to the children at the hospital but also instilled the values of empathy, community service, and the importance of giving back among our students. Witnessing the positive impact of our collective efforts on those in need has been truly heartening.

Ms Sophie Yoon, Head of Year 7

In an insightful interview with Ms Sophie Yoon, we delved into the vision, the motivations behind and the collaborative efforts involved in bringing it to fruition.

Q: Could you tell us about the Shoebox Appeal Project and what are the primary goals of this initiative?

The Shoebox Appeal Project involved preparing gift boxes for the children at Children's Hospital of Soochow University ahead of the Chinese New Year holiday. The goal was to bring cheer to the children spending the festive season in the hospital.

Q: How did the students participate in the project?

Over the past three weeks, Year 7 students worked diligently to wrap and fill shoeboxes for the hospital, as well as design and write cards for the staff. Student leaders received special training to understand the needs of Leukemia patients and how to interact with them at the hospital.

Q: Did you encounter any challenges while organizing this event? 

Organizing the event involved wrapping numerous boxes to distribute them evenly. Students learned the art of wrapping carefully to present the gifts in a thoughtful manner, and they also learned how to write festive cards for the hospital staff.

Q: What kind of feedback have you received from the staff and the children of Children's Hospital of Soochow University？

The staff and children warmly welcomed our students, appreciating the generosity of the gifts and the effort put into the project. The community's support was evident through the overwhelming number of donated items.

Q: What role does the DCSZ community play in supporting such initiatives?

The DCSZ community's generosity in donating shoeboxes, toys, and books for the children was truly remarkable and heartwarming.

From the Students

“A moment that stood out to me was when the lukemia patient asked me to write “ Happy New Year” in English for him. It was such an easy thing to do, but it really touched me. It made me realize that tiny gestures can bring happiness to other people.” - Bridgette Z, Year 7

“A moment that stood out to me was when I saw the leukemia patient not only have leukemia and also wear a hearing aid. This made me feel bad for the girl because she is only 5, with lots of needle tubes on her hands. I have learned how leukemia is a very serious disease. We should be grateful for the things we have.” - Emma S, Year 7

Ilan A reflected on the importance of gratitude and appreciation for what we have, recognizing the privilege of sharing with those less fortunate.

The Shoebox Appeal Project exemplifies the spirit of compassion and kindness that defines our school community. We are immensely proud of our students and the entire community for their generosity and dedication to making a difference in the lives of others.

Thank you for your unwavering support in making this initiative a success.