Saint Lucia Project

You too can make someone's Christmas special...

Keep reading to learn how our parish has been making Christmas gift boxes for families of St. Benedict's Parish in St. Lucia for the past 10 years.

Make a gift box

Gift ideas

Facts about St.  Lucia

What to avoid

This year we have 14 families, which is about 80 people. For many, these boxes are their only Christmas gift!

Make a gift box.

Wrap up a craft/photo storage box (approx. 12x6x4) with the lid separate from the box. Think Christmas, as well as "practical" - for every practical item, try to include something (or some things!) just for fun, or enjoyment. Think LIGHT!! See the list of gift ideas below (these are suggestions only).  The Dollar type store are a gold mine of ideas. Include a photo of yourself-or your family-a note - a card - if you wish - it adds a personal touch, and the people there really like to receive that. Do NOT include your address. Your box needs to be ready by mid June, and it will be shipped in June.

Gift ideas
EVERYONE Face cloth, small towel, toothpaste, pencils, notepad, playing cards, smelly soap, crucifix / medal "necklace", holy / prayer card, plastic containers with lids, Skittles, M&M's are best for a treat.	KIDS (age appropriate) Stickers, crayons, T-shirt, body lotion, baby powder, markers, chalk, coloring /activity book, plastic animal set (wild animals, bugs, dinosaurs, farm animals, etc), easy puzzles, (24-60 piece), paddle with ball attached, easy crafts (all parts included, also any glue etc needed), card games such as Go Fish, Old Maid, granola bars, fruit roll-ups, story books, kids vitamins, plastic play sets (e.g. small plastic tool set or doctor set)
ADULTS / OLDER TEENS Tea bags, individual coffee packets, small packet band-aids, travel size shampoo, lotion, deodorant, small plastic storage containers with lids, small crucifix to hang at home, disposable camera All LOVE smelly things: colognes, sprays etc.	GIRLS White socks, small stuffed animal, black-skinned dolly, skip rope, jaks, hair elastics/ties
WOMEN / OLDER GIRLS Tea towels, spray scent /  body shop items, measuring tape (fabric), hand-sewing needles, thread, scented candles, rust proof straight pins, sanitary napkins, small stuffed animal, small picture frame or photo album, small ornaments.	BOYS Black/navy socks, marbles, small packet lego, ball (rubber / nerf), plastic truck /car (younger), hot wheel 'type' cars (older).
	What to avoid Battery operated toys, glass containers, things that can rust, anything that does not like humidity such as chocolates, life savers, suckers.
	Facts about St.  Lucia Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago. Total area 616 sq km (3.5 times the size of Washington, DC) The official language of St. Lucia is English. There are two seasons: rainy (June to November), when it is very humid and dry season. There is high unemployment and extensive poverty in St. Lucia. These gift boxes are the only gifts they will get at Christmas. For more information check fact book or tourist site Thanks to all those who have helped in the past and are helping today. If you would like to get involved in this project, please contact the parish office.