Christmas shoebox appeal seeks gifts for children around the world

What the garden looked like before
NOTHING LIKE THE PRESENT Volunteers at the warehouse helping to sort the shoeboxes last year

Last year, local residents sent in more than 40,000 shoeboxes full of gifts for children living in difficult circumstances in Africa, Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.
Helen Taylor, of Anglefix in Tonbridge, will be coordinating volunteers in the warehouse this Christmas. She said: “Last year 600 fantastic local people helped sort shoeboxes from all over Kent and Sussex and load them on to lorries. Do come and join us. The location will be posted on our Facebook group, OCC West Kent, soon.
“But even more, please pack shoeboxes so that as many children as possible can know the meaning of Christmas and that they are loved and not forgotten. Many of the children receiving the gift-filled shoeboxes will have never received a gift before.”
Operation Christmas Child, organised by Samaritan’s Purse, hopes to collect enough gifts to reach 11 million children in more than 100 countries.
The world’s largest project of its kind, it has delivered more than 157 million shoebox gifts since 1993. Gift suggestions include toys, school supplies and hygiene items. Special decorative pre-printed boxes and free resources are available from the website, which will also show the nearest location where you can drop off your shoebox between November 1-18.
Visit operationchristmaschild.org.uk for more information. If you would like to volunteer email: contact@occwestkent.onmicrosoft.com

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