THIS time of year always makes people reflect.

But Christian relief charity Samaritan's Purse, has been busy organising Operation Christmas Child since March.

Two million shoeboxes filled with Christmas presents for children were donated by English people last year via the charity.

The Crossroads centre in Meltham has collected 13,000 boxes.Volunteers start arriving at the centre around 10am. The number of volunteers varies each day but more are always needed.

Leaflets are distributed every year, giving instructions to people on what to fill a shoebox with.

People wrap the shoeboxes in cheerful Christmas paper and secure the lid with an elastic band.

Gifts do not need to be new, as long as they look new. It is a great idea to get your own children involved.

Once the box is filled, a sticker with the age group the box is appropriate for and whether it is for a boy or girl, is attached to the top.

Donations of shoeboxes are made by schools, churches, scout groups and various other organisations.

I went off to investigate what goes on.

A new delivery had arrived at the centre so we formed a queue up the stairs and passed three at a time to the top, before stacking them on a platform.

The boxes are counted and a note made of how many there are and who they are from.

After this they are placed on tables to be sorted through.

The next step is to check that the contents tally with the label. Basics like toothpaste and toothbrushes are among items requested by organisers. Volunteers take out items not allowed in the destination country such as things that may leak or playing cards, where gambling is not allowed.

If a box is not full or lacks something, it is topped up with items donated by firms or knitted by volunteers.

The boxes are sealed with tape before being grouped in piles for their gender and age. Afterwards they are packed into cartons in lots of 15.

A warehouse has been loaned where the shoeboxes are kept until an articulated lorry collects them before being sent abroad.

It is good fun sorting through the boxes and as one lady said: "It's amazing how every one is different".

Some children whose family have donated a box, tape a photograph of themselves and sign a message inside the lid. Another lady said: "It's quite touching in this day and age".

Dorothy, who volunteered for the first time this year, added: "We have a good rapport, everybody's friendly and it's fun."

The boxes will be distributed in time for Christmas and the Samaritan's Pursewill make a video of the kids opening their boxes: "It's very touching, we see them being opened out in the backwoods somewhere and the children's faces say it all."

Some children think the box is their present and don't realise there's more inside it. "One little boy was speechless at receiving not one but two toothbrushes".

They tend to get more girls' boxes in the 5-9 age group but not as much in the older age group: 10 - 14. There are fewer for boys.

Meanwhile, excitement is mounting to fever pitch in the destination countries. Thousands of children are eagerly awaiting their Christmas presents. The boxes let them know they are not forgotten, and it is all thanks to the Samaritan's Purse