Shoebox Packing Party – Wed 25 Oct

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Operation Christmas Child

The time has arrived for the annual Shoebox Packing Party! Anyone is welcome to come and join in the joy of packing shoebox gifts on Wednesday 25 October at St Stephen’s Church from 10 am until 1 pm.

Refreshments will be available during the morning and there will be lots of people to explain the process and help you packing some wonderful gifts!

You don’t need to come for the whole time, if you just want to pop in and see what happens, you would be very welcome!

The aim this year, once again, has been to pack 100 shoeboxes as a community from around the Benefice (and beyond!).

Each month we have been collecting different items and we have plenty of some things, but are still in need of a few more things to make the packing party produce some wonderful shoeboxes!!

Sweets – dated at least May 2018 (and please no chocolate or other food as they can’t be sent due to customs regulations).

Scarves & Hats – these can be wooly, fleecy or more summery ones. Anything suitable for a child (2-4, 6-9 or 10-14 years old) is very welcome!

Stationery – notebooks, pens, pencils, pencil cases, chalk, crayons, felt tips, rulers, etc

Accessories – hairbrushes / combs, hair accessories, jewellery, bags

Toys – anything small enough to fit in a shoebox that isn’t war related – including  but not limited to: balls, cars, skipping ropes, jigsaws, dolls. (We do have lots of soft toys!) Toys are a wonderful addition to a shoebox to help make them wonderful gifts for children. Multiple toys get lovingly placed in each shoebox, so plenty are needed 🙂

Money – to cover the cost of transport of the boxes around the world. No money is included in the boxes.

Items should be as new or handmade. Handstuffed toys are not allowed due to customs regulations.

If you aren’t sure if an item is suitable, please speak to Rachel Witham (719438).

A massive thank you to all who have already donated (or promised) items, it is always so wonderful to see the generosity of our community in preparing gifts for children overseas.

If you have any items for the shoeboxes, please bring along to St Stephen’s Church, give to a church member to bring or please contact Elaine Bradley (825401) or Rachel Witham (719438).

It would be really helpful to have as many donations before the packing party as possible, as this means that things can be laid out and organised to make it easier for everyone to join in with packing!

Event page on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/263893224132547