OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Could you help us to place a shoebox filled with gifts into the hands of a needy child this Christmas?
Once again our three churches in the Benefice, Wymondley Baptist Church and local schools, will all be supporting the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal. As you are aware, the concept is simple. A medium-sized shoebox is covered with Christmas wrapping paper, filled with gifts and then sent (via the charity) to a needy child. We do not know at present where our boxes are to be sent this year. Although it is always nice to know this in advance, if the guidelines on the instruction leaflet are followed, it will not matter which countries our boxes go to.
You will need one instruction leaflet for each shoebox that you do. To take part, you will need an empty medium-sized shoebox, some wrapping paper, some gifts and an instruction leaflet. You will need to cover the lid and the box separately (unless the lid is one of the flap-over type of course). Place your gifts inside (along with a voluntary contribution to help with transport costs) stick the Boy/Girl label from the leaflet on the outside of the lid and secure the box closed with a rubber band. The leaflet also gives many good ideas for gifts that you might include in your box. (As well as listing those that are definitely unsuitable).
If you already have an empty shoebox that you can use that is great, otherwise empty shoeboxes and instruction leaflets are available from church or from Christine and Arthur Sibun (tel. 01462-459145). We know from the past that some folk find it a very challenging and daunting proposition to have to cover a shoebox with Christmas paper so, although we do not offer the pre-printed GO boxes mentioned in the leaflet, we are once again offering pre-covered boxes for a small extra donation. Note: the pre-covered boxes will not be left at the back of church, but will be available on request from Christine and Arthur. (See us in church or telephone).
As mentioned Operation Christmas Child suggests a voluntary donation of £3 to help to cover transport costs. (This is incredibly good value when you see what the Post Office would charge!) Last year the average across the board donation in the UK was £2.80 which I thought was pretty good. However, such is the scale of their operations that this shortfall of 20p. a box cost Operation Christmas Child an extra £170,000!! Therefore if you can possibly manage a donation of £3 (or even a little bit more) it would be very much appreciated - and if you donate on-line it helps to cut administration costs down. (Otherwise please place your donation inside your shoebox in the envelope provided with your leaflet.)
Completed boxes should be returned to church (or to Christine and Arthur) on or before Sunday 8th November and we will ensure that they arrive at the warehouse in good time.
Please Note: The dates printed on the front of the leaflet only apply if you are taking your box to the drop-off point yourself.
Arthur Sibun
