Caring charity campaigners are collecting an assortment of toys to donate to children in need for the festive season, writes Mai Al Khatib-Camille.
Big-hearted duo Miranthi Dole, who founded the unregistered charity called ‘A Box of Goodness’, and the Lettuce Run ladies group, started their community donation drive on November 18 with people dropping off unwrapped toys in red boxes located at one of the popular coffee franchises on the island.
The last day to donate will be during the women-only 3km Lettuce Run Walk on Saturday at 7am, with a walk around St Christopher’s School in Saar followed by light breakfast bites as a thank you to participants.
“The reason we are doing this because is we want to gift children in need a toy,” said Dana Zubari, an Ironman finisher and triathlete who co-founded the all-women’s group with triathlete star and Ironman finisher Mariam Turki.
“It’s also at the same time as Christmas and I know not everyone celebrates Christmas but I do know that every child should celebrate getting gifts. It’s the end of the year and I think it’s a fantastic way to cheer children up.”
This is not the first time that ‘A Box of Goodness’ has collaborated with Lettuce Run, or given back to the community.
“We collect toys to share with less fortunate children of all nationalities and faiths during the months of Christmas and Ramadan,” said Ms Dole. “We built up a database since we started in 2016. We appeal to the community to donate new or unused toys that we can share with children aged two to 12.
“Toys are also collected whenever we organise a ‘Kids Group Birthday Party’ for the orphaned children of Al Sanabel Orphan Care Society. Due to the pandemic, we haven’t been able to organise parties in the past two years but we hope to resume these parties as and when the conditions improve and the authorities allow it.”
Aside from Al Sanabel Orphan Care Society, the group has also donated toys to the Bahrain Cancer Society, Al Noor Special Education Centre and differently-abled children.
They also go into the poorest neighbourhoods and villages and share toys for Ramadan and Christmas with these children. “Our aim is to let every child feel loved and cared for no matter their faith or circumstance in life,” added Ms Dole.
For toy drop off locations, message @aboxofgoodness and @lettuce.run on Instagram.
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