Cyndi Rayson has stepped into a leadership role at the Shoebox Project in Sarnia with years of experience behind her.
Cyndi Rayson has stepped into a leadership role at the Shoebox Project in Sarnia with years of experience behind her.
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She’s the 14-year-old sister of Annabelle Rayson, a university student who launched the Sarnia Chapter of the project seven years ago.
When Annabelle left for last year for university in the US, Cyndi became co-chairperson of the local chapter, which aimed this holiday season to assemble 300 shoeboxes of personal care items and gifts for local agencies helping women at risk.
Cyndi, now in Grade 9 at St. Patrick’s Catholic secondary school, said she’s been helping her sister fill and wrap boxes since about age seven.
“I’m not sure I exactly understood it at first,” she said. “I thought, ‘We’re making Christmas presents.’ ”
Annabelle learned about the Shoebox Project while in Grade 8 and serving as a student page at the Ontario legislature, where she met MPP Caroline Mulroney, a project founders.
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“She was inspired by the charity, looked into it more and decided, ‘I can do this and help people,’ ” Cyndi said of her sister. “We all kind of hopped on the train.”
As she became older, Cyndi said she also came to better understand what the project was about.
“It means a lot to me to be able to help these people,” she said. “Especially since I’m so fortunate.”
The project is accepting donations until Dec. 10 at The Shoebox, the office of Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey, Norton Hairstyling, Fuzion Hair Concepts, Sarnia Golf and Curling Club and Cross Works Physiotherapy Bright’s Grove.
It’s looking for new, full-sized toiletries, such as shampoo, conditioner, lotions and bodywash, and hair accessories, candy, chocolates, socks and similar items.
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They’re all packed in shoeboxes provided by local shoe stores and delivered to agencies such as the Inn of the Good Shepherd, Women’s Interval Home, The Centre, The Haven, Rebound Hub, Ohana Landing and the Sarnia Brain Injury Association.
Some donors fill and drop off shoeboxes, others donate items to help fill them.
Financial donations can be made through the Sarnia Chapter’s page on the Shoebox Project’s website at shoeboxproject.ca/chapters/sarnia.
Shell, Pembina, Nova, Trans Canada and Dow are among the local chapter’s sponsors, Cyndi said.
“It can make their day,” she said of the shoeboxes’ impact on recipients. “It can really help a person and that’s really inspiring.”
After collecting and gathering items, the sisters’ family’s home turns into a warehouse and assembly line to fill and wrap boxes for delivery.
“There are points in December where you can’t walk in my house,” said the sisters’ mother, Stephanie Lobsinger.
Friends and family pitch in to help, Cyndi said.
Each spring, the Sarnia chapter typically prepares and donates a second batch of about 100 boxes.
“We have the motivation to keep it going,” Cyndi said. “It has almost become a tradition in our family.”
“I’m glad they’re carrying it on,” said Lobsinger.
“I don’t think Annabelle would let us (stop),” Cyndi added. “I love what she did here. It’s incredible.”
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