Needham’s Cuddy organizing Shoebox holiday drive

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Julia Cuddy is a 17-year-old senior at Needham High School. Last year, she was chosen to as the Boston Coordinator for The Shoebox Project for Shelters. The Shoebox Project for Shelters is a public charity that collects and distributes gifts in the form of shoeboxes to women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in communities across the US and Canada. Each thoughtfully created and beautifully decorated Shoebox is filled with items valued at $50 that can help enhance self-esteem and reduce feelings of isolation for women in crisis.

For the upcoming 2018 holiday season, Cuddy and the local Shoebox team will be again donating a requested total of 225 shoeboxes to women at the Women's Lunch Place in Boston. Over the past few weeks, she has been campaigning around her community in Needham, reaching out to neighbors and friends to come together and take a few minutes out of their day to make a shoebox.

“It is so important for all of us to be aware of those in and around our community who are less fortunate than we are, especially around the holiday season,” Cuddy says. “I think that people of all ages should unite and experience how fun and easy it can be to help a woman in need.

On December 16, Cuddy, along with help from friends and family, will bring the shoeboxes to the Women’s Lunch Place. Until then, all donations can be dropped off at 68 Kingsbury Street in Needham.

For more information about The Shoebox Project, along with specific information regarding the Boston chapter, visit: www.shoeboxprojectusa.org/boston.html.