Can you spare time for Christmas Shoeboxes?

19 Oct 2018 08:54
Published by: Dave Fletcher

It’s that wonderful time of year when the people of Horwich and surrounding areas can bring a huge smile and happiness to a child whose life doesn’t hold much joy on a day to day basis.

Yes, it’s Christmas Shoebox time! Otherwise known as Operation Christmas Child there are so many different opportunities to engage in this heart-warming project.  You can make up a shoebox (or more!), help with the collection of shoeboxes, help with checking and sorting them into age groups, packing into the cases ready for transport, or, if you feel any of those would be too much for you, a donation of ‘fillers’ (little extras to add to boxes that may have a bit of space or an item missing) or a financial donation towards transport or the cost of buying fillers. All the work is done by volunteers and the atmosphere is welcoming and friendly.

There are certain dos and don’ts to filling a shoe box so, to avoid disappointment, please check the current leaflet or the website to see what is acceptable and what is not. Most shoe shops have spare boxes which they are glad to give out. You can decorate the box to make it look jolly and festive – the children very often treasure the boxes as much as the contents!

So, how about it? Feel you’d like to get involved? For making up shoeboxes, leaflets are available in most churches, schools and some public buildings or go online to https://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/ To help with collecting, checking, packing etc please contact: Eric Kent on 01204 468515 or email:

ericsuekent@gmail.com        

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