THIS year’s Operation Christmas Child appeal at The United Church Marsden is well under way.
The nationwide appeal is to help needy children in developing countries. It takes the form of a shoebox collection and encourages people to send festive cheer to children less fortunate than most across the world.
Run in conjunction with the Samaritans’ Purse charity, Operation Christmas Child entails filling shoeboxes with toys and gifts to send to children in hospitals, orphanages, refugee camps, homeless shelters and impoverished areas.
The United Church Marsden church appeal organiser Rachel Hemingway, writing in the church magazine, says: “We would, quite naturally, like to give a box to as many children as we did last year (215). I know this is going to be difficult this year and it does take a lot of gifts to fill the boxes – and we also have to raise over £500 towards transport costs. But just imagine the absolute amazement, joy and smiles on the faces of the children when they receive this gift which is quite possibly the only gift they have ever received and normally the only gift they will receive this Christmas.”
But the appeal requires more items. Says Rachel: “We still need more facecloths, soap, toothpaste, combs, model cars, small dolls, skipping ropes, handbags, jewellery, crayons, felt tip pens and pencil sharpener.
There will be fund raising events at the church to boost the funds.
“We are doing things a little differently this year and having a Coffee Morning on Saturday November 12, to raise a little more money and enable people to bring last minute gifts. We shall also pack boxes that day,” Rachel adds.
Earlier this month during the Sunday morning service churchgoers were shown a short film showing children receiving their shoe boxes last year.
