October marks the annual national shoebox collection for Operation Christmas Child, a project run by international Christian organisation Samaritan's Purse.
Queenstown co-ordinator Sharon Hargest wants people to get behind the cause, with the collection running until October 21.
"You choose what age group it's for - 2 to 4, 5 to 9, and 10 to 14 years - and put in something to wear, something for hygiene, something to play with, school supplies and something special, like maybe a photo of your family."
Once filled, the boxes will be sent to Auckland, along with a small donation to cover travel expenses, and the aid group distributes the boxes via schools to the grateful recipients.
She said last year's children in Fiji and Papua New Guinea were stunned to receive the gifts.
"They had never received something that's their own and when they heard that it was for them and they were not going to have to give them away they got really excited."
Another year, one girl in Romania had her wish come true when asked what she hoped to find in her shoebox.
"She said 'I am hoping it's going to be a mummy and a daddy." When she opened it, there was a picture from a couple in Canada and a letter saying they wanted to adopt whoever opened it."
Remarkables Primary School will this year be one of the groups participating in Operation Christmas Child.
Last year, Queenstown donated a total of 180 boxes.
Boxes and information leaflets are available from Miss Hargest at Fresh Choice or at the Salvation Army Resource Centre on Camp St.
