samaritans purse

underprivileged children

Finger puppets for Samaritan Purse boxes

finger puppets

@JudyEv (325335)

Rockingham, Australia

May 21, 2022 7:45pm CST

I’ve been making finger puppets to put, with other items, in shoeboxes. The boxes will be sent by Samaritans Purse to underprivileged children all over the world. I’ve made about 9 or 10 now but I have trouble getting the features to look reasonable. I hope my finger puppets don’t scare the children. The boxes are organised according to age (2-4, 5-9, 10-14) and gender. There are certain criteria for each box. Someone else will be assembling them. My only connection really has been crocheting beanies and puppets. Suggestions for the boxes are a ‘Wow’ item – something that attracts the child’s attention such as a stuffed toy, soccer ball, article of clothing, one personal care item (soap, washer, comb, tooth-brush), an activity item (colouring books, coloured pencils), a clothing item (beanie, T-shirt) and toys. The photo is of two of my puppets.

26 people like this

28 responses

@Vikingswest1 (6305)

• United States

22 May 22

Very cute puppets. Someone is going to be really happy to get one of those. My wife and her mother did those for years. If I remember correctly, they bought Rubbermaid containers for the shoe boxes and filled them themselves. Has that changed?

4 people like this

@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 22

No, not really. You can fill a box yourself but they suggest a shoebox size. It doesn't have to be an actual shoebox. And there are suggestions as to what to put in them on the website. The handicraft group at our village are organising the boxes and gathering up all the bits and pieces. Those who go to the sewing group days have made library bags and/or T-shirts. Some have knitted beanies and soft toys, etc.

3 people like this

@Vikingswest1 (6305)

• United States

22 May 22

@JudyEv What fun. I would watch videos of the children opening the boxes hoping to see one of their boxes being opened. It was exciting for me too. It really humbles a person to know that many kids really have it tough.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 22

@Vikingswest1 I think there are videos of the kids opening the boxes and some amazing stories about some of the gifts. One lady felt compelled to put in a pair of oven mitts and the boy that received the box cried with joy as he had to handle large pots full of hot liquids.

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@TheHorse (205216)

• Walnut Creek, California

22 May 22

My sidewalk chalk smiley faces excite 4-year-olds. I think your smiley faces are delightful and will cause joy.

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@TheHorse (205216)

• Walnut Creek, California

22 May 22

@JudyEv Exactly. How long does it take you to make a finger puppet? Does it provide you with the same sense of "Zen" satisfaction that my speaker restoration provides?

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 22

@TheHorse I can do one in a couple of hours. I guess I'd be happier if the faces looked a bit better. I chose the best two to photograph.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 22

Thanks. It's hard not to smile back at a smiley face, wherever it is.

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@LadyDuck (457308)

• Switzerland

22 May 22

It is wonderful that this organization takes care to send those boxes to underprivileged children. I like your two puppets, you are doing a good job.

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@LadyDuck (457308)

• Switzerland

22 May 22

@JudyEv I would love to look at the faces of those kids when they open their box.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 May 22

@LadyDuck Yes, I'd like that too. There are some videos of kids opening their boxes.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 22

Thanks. I'll take them to the group tomorrow and find out if they still want more made. I think they have nearly enough now.

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@DaddyEvil (137145)

• United States

22 May 22

Please define "reasonable". I think those look just fine. Someone is going to be quite happy to receive them.

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@DaddyEvil (137145)

• United States

22 May 22

@JudyEv You're welcome. Of course each mouth is different. Each puppet is different. You don't think they all want to look the same, do you?

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 May 22

@DaddyEvil I just want them all to look nice.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 22

Thanks. The mouth is the hardest. I start off the same for each one but they all turn out different.

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Krissttina Isobe

@oahuwriter (26780)

• United States

22 May 22

How good of you to do for charity! With the smile on the puppets, I believe it'll be ok. Don't they love the beanie? I know it gets cold, so beanies very welcome?

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 May 22

@oahuwriter That's true. There is always some small things that we can do to help.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 May 22

It's an easy thing for me to do. Yes, beanies are very popular in many countries.

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Krissttina Isobe

@oahuwriter (26780)

• United States

24 May 22

@JudyEv Doing for charity is very noble. Whether donations to thrift shop, or making gift boxes, all needed.

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@erictsuma (9726)

• Mombasa, Kenya

22 May 22

They look very nice, the children will definitely like them.

2 people like this

@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 22

I really hope they will like them. They have very little in the way of toys or possessions so I'm sure they'll be happy to get them.

2 people like this

@erictsuma (9726)

• Mombasa, Kenya

22 May 22

@JudyEv Yes they will be happy

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@rebelann (111073)

• El Paso, Texas

22 May 22

Those are really cute.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 22

Thanks. I've made quite a few now but these have the best faces.

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@rebelann (111073)

• El Paso, Texas

22 May 22

You'll make better ones as time goes by.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 May 22

@rebelann I just need a bit more practice.

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@Juliaacv (48251)

• Canada

22 May 22

Those are so adorable. I am sure that the children that receive them will enjoy hours of fun playing with them.

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@Juliaacv (48251)

• Canada

22 May 22

@JudyEv That is exciting. I would imagine that is how groups of people adopt small villages and help improve them.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 22

I hope they like them. I think we can track the boxes if we want to to find out where they go.

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@Marilynda1225 (79571)

• United States

24 May 22

You did a really good job on your finger puppets Judy. They are cute and don't resemble zombies at all

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@Marilynda1225 (79571)

• United States

25 May 22

@JudyEv wow 66 is a nice number for you ladies to make for the children. I'm sure the children will be happy with their little finger puppets and have lots of hours of fun playing with them.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

25 May 22

Haha - thanks. I'm on my last three now. Between all the ladies we've made 66.

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Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (15719)

• Raurkela, India

22 May 22

Lovely puppets. Glad to know that you can still crochet and knit which I can't because of my eyes.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 May 22

I'm sorry you can no longer crochet or knit. I don't do d'oyleys with fine cotton any more.

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Anindita Sengupta

@aninditasen (15719)

• Raurkela, India

23 May 22

@JudyEv I do some amount of stitching but fear that my eye power might increase.

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@yoalldudes (35040)

• Philippines

22 May 22

There they are. Soo cute.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 22

Thanks. I hope the kids like them.

@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 22

@yoalldudes Thanks. There are a lot of people involved but between us all, lots of shoeboxes will be filled for the children.

@yoalldudes (35040)

• Philippines

22 May 22

@JudyEv They will for sure. All I can say is the world is a better place becasue of these things you guys do.

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@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

22 May 22

So adorable and a great thing to do. I try to donate to organizations that really need it as well. Those little things will be appreciated.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 May 22

It's an easy thing for me to do really. Apparently thousands are sent out each year.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

24 May 22

@CarolDM That's true.

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@CarolDM (203454)

• Nashville, Tennessee

23 May 22

@JudyEv Amazing how the little things can mean so much.

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Nocturnal Writer

@Nakitakona (56302)

• Philippines

22 May 22

You're too skillful in making finger puppets which are donated to the underprivileged kids. Recently my 9-year old granddaughter Sophie made a paper puppet as a requirement for her arts subject. I videod her while she's doing it and posted it in my YouTube channel. It will premier on 23rd of May at 7:45pm Philippine time.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 22

That's nice to know. I hope Sophie gets a good mark for her work.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 May 22

@Nakitakona That's good to hear. I'm sure you are very proud of her.

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Nocturnal Writer

@Nakitakona (56302)

• Philippines

23 May 22

@JudyEv She gets a high grades in all her subjects.

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@MarieCoyle (28211)

•

22 May 22

Those are really cute, I am sure a child will enjoy playing with them.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 22

I hope so. It's nice to think these simple things will be enjoyed by a child somewhere.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 May 22

@MarieCoyle Thanks

@MarieCoyle (28211)

•

22 May 22

@JudyEv I'm sure they will be loved and enjoyed.

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@GardenGerty (157481)

• United States

22 May 22

I think they are cute. Some cultures do not want facial features.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 May 22

Really? I didn't know that. In that case, I hope the distributors know what they're doing.

@shaggin (71659)

• United States

22 May 22

This is so nice of you to make these for the children. I love the face on the one on the let. Very cute I think’

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

22 May 22

Thanks. I find putting the faces on the hardest part.

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@shaggin (71659)

• United States

23 May 22

@JudyEv I’d say the rest looks so much harder to me anyway

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@snowy22315 (169578)

• United States

22 May 22

They are really adorable, so kind of you to do!

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 May 22

Thanks. It's a good way to use up scraps of wool.

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@Aquitaine24 (11651)

• San Jose, California

22 May 22

Those are very nicely made.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 May 22

Thanks. They are quite simple to do.

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Anne Marie Guyer

@LeaPea2417 (36392)

• Toccoa, Georgia

22 May 22

That's a wonderful idea for the boxes. I like to send an Operation Christmas Child box each year.

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 May 22

That sounds a very similar scheme.

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@RasmaSandra (73201)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

23 May 22

Very nice puppets you're very creative, I am sure the children will like them,

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@JudyEv (325335)

• Rockingham, Australia

23 May 22

Thanks. I'm hoping so too.

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