Every year, the teams of Foundation for Social Change and Inclusion from Bulgarian and the UK organize this campaign and give out thousands of Christmas boxes to underprivileged children, families and groups. Some of them live in terrible poverty and their budget will not allow anything special for the holidays. Others have no family or friends to share the holiday with.
WHO GETS THE PRESENTS?
The Christmas boxes go to children aged 0-18 in residential units; children deprived of parental care; women and children victims of abuse; women rescued from trafficking; single parents; families in crisis; families of prisoners; old people in specialised homes; lonely elderly and others.
HOW DO THE CHRISTMAS BOXES HELP?
The presents bring joy to people in difficult situations and make them feel special and loved. For some of the people a Christmas box is the only present they will get this year. The presents give us the opportunity to reach people in difficult situations and to build relationships of trust in order to help them long-term.
- In 2025, the campaign continued with 7,200 individual gifts donated, reaching people in need across the country.
- In 2024, the traditional campaign was once again implemented with the support of FSCI UK partners, with nearly 7,500 individual gifts donated.
- In 2023, the campaign continued with the active support of local communities, schools, businesses, and institutions from the United Kingdom, with nearly 7,000 individual gifts prepared and donated.
- In 2022, despite the extremely challenging context related to inflation, the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the war in Ukraine, over 7,500 individual gifts were donated, reaching people in need across the country.
- In 2021, within two campaigns (one in June and one for Christmas), FSCI and its FSCI UK partners delivered gift distributions, with over 8,000 people across the country receiving an individual Christmas gift.
- In 2020, the campaign was postponed due to the epidemiological situation and logistical constraints, with part of the gifts being redirected and implemented in the following reporting period.
- In 2019, FSCI, together with its FSCI UK partners, reached over 11,000 people in need in Bulgaria, making their Christmas more joyful and festive. Hundreds of underprivileged families, abandoned children, single parents, elderly people, refugees, and prisoners received attention and a Christmas gift, experiencing the spirit and warmth of the festive season.
- In 2018, the campaign was once again supported by volunteers and donors, enabling each of the over 10,000 gifts to reach its recipient and bring joy and warmth during the festive period.
- In 2017, with strong support from Bulgarian volunteers and donors, 9,224 carefully wrapped gifts reached children and adults living in poverty across the country.
- In 2016, 10,233 gifts reached 21 locations across Bulgaria, and 1,491 gifts were provided to people in need in Serbia.
- In 2015, another record was achieved – over 10,000 gifts were distributed to people in need across the country.
- In 2014, over 8,500 gifts were distributed.
- In 2013, the number increased to 7,100.
- In 2012, the number of gifts rose to 6,400.
- In 2011, with the support of Econt Express, 5,800 gifts were distributed.
- In 2010, the number reached 5,300.
- In 2009, gifts were distributed to approximately 4,000 Bulgarians.
WHERE DO THE CHRISTMAS BOXES COME FROM AND WHAT’S IN THEM?
Every present comes in a shoe box wrapped in nice Christmas paper and consists of toiletries, winter accessories; children’s toys; sweets and other small handy stuff. They are donated by people in the UK – schools, churches, businesses, community groups and individuals. The presents are sorted into age/gender groups by volunteers and transported to Bulgaria.
