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Search forShop will collect gift-filled shoeboxes for young
Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 11:48
Volunteers will run the shop on four days a week to help the Operation Christmas Child project which aims to collect more than 5,000 gift-filled shoeboxes this year for children living in poverty as a result of famine, disease or war.
The shoeboxes for children aged from two to 14 are filled by members of the public and can then be handed in to the shop.
Thanks to local businessman Michael Lott, the Wadebridge volunteers can occupy a currently empty shop at 19 Molesworth Street. Area co-ordinator Jacqui White, said: "Without the donation of these premises, we would be unable to collect, check and pack into cartons the thousands of shoeboxes that get donated, so thank you to Michael for the shop, and to Steve Rushworth for donating us space for the second year running to store the packed cartons at the Pannier Market."
The shop will be open every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday throughout November from 10am to 4pm.
People can pop in to collect shoebox leaflets, find out more about the project or drop off finished shoeboxes.
Once the shoeboxes have been collected, they are individually checked and sealed, before being put into large cartons according to the age group and sex of the child the shoebox is packed for. From there, they are sent to Eastern European and African countries to be delivered to a child who may have never received a gift before. For many, it is the first time that they will have celebrated Christmas with a gift.
To make a donation, wrap a shoebox and its lid separately in Christmas paper, and fill with gifts for either a boy or a girl aged two to four, five to nine or 10 to 14.
Suggestions include toiletries, stationary, toys, hats, scarves and sweets. Please do not include chocolate, liquids, glass or breakables or any war-related items.
For more information, please contact Jacqui White on 01208 841077, e-mail jac_white@hotmail.co.uk or visit www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk
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