Shoe Box Appeal is back!
Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service is asking local residents to help support this year’s Operation Christmas Child Appeal by donating more gifts than ever before!
Since 1990, Operation Christmas Child has brought the joy of Christmas to millions of boys and girls. Last year Samaritan’s Purse in the UK sent out over 1.24 million shoe boxes to children across Eastern Europe and Africa. This annual project enables caring individuals, families, schools, churches, businesses, and other organisations to fill ordinary shoe boxes with small toys, school supplies, sweets, and other gifts for children around the world.
Warwickshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Services, Shoe Box appeal co-ordinator, Maureen Maddison said:
“Last year the fire service received around 2,500 shoe boxes from across Warwickshire. This year we are hoping to collect even more, by asking residents to pack up any gifts they think would make a child’s Christmas. Shoe-boxes can be dropped at a number of fire stations including Nuneaton, Bedworth and Atherstone. You can also drop off boxes at St Peters church in Mancetter.”
* Gifts should be new or very nearly new, below are a few ideas of what to pack:
* Cuddly toy
* Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, flannel
* Colouring books, pencils, sharpener, crayons, felt pens
* Hat, scarf, gloves
* Jigsaw puzzle, toy cars, hair accessories
Do not pack edibles such as chocolate, fruit or biscuits. You can send sweets, but the sell by date must run to at least the end of March 2008.
The campaign will run from the Saturday 3rd November to Tuesday 20th November. All boxes must reach one of the above centres by the 20th November at the latest.
For further information on what can be put into a show box and how to pack it, please log onto http://www.samaritanspurse.uk.com