2008 Christmas Shoeboxes

pavlovs_dog

operation christmas child is the main charity that springs to mind for these boxes.

pennyfrog

We make boxes for Operation Christmas Child every year, as a family, at our church and our kids' youth groups.
Details are here: http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/

merlinormartin

I wanted to become a volunteer for the 2008 shoebox appeal, but it says

"as a Registered Volunteer we also need 2 References, one of which should be from your church leader."

i dont go to church ... does anyone know if they will allow me to volunteer?

* its with operation xmas child

marsupial_mama

We do these through our son's school
http://www.rotary1280.org/shoebox/index.asp
You can try and see if you can help them? They are very particular about their boxes - they have to be opened (not gift wrapped) for customs purposes, and you are not allowed to put in any food items.

We have made 3 last year - one for girl of my daughter's age, one for boy of my son's age, and one for household. Kids loved doing it!

There is certain controversy surrounding Operation Christmas Child that I am absolutely not comfortable with. Just do a google search


Andreja
Andreja

cookiedough38

those donating to link romania - what do you put inside as its for families. e.g. how many toothbrushes etc

luxor4t

I have filled shoe boxes for the past several years, so now work from this list, using places like Wilkinsons, Poundland etc:
- toothbrushes (2 pack) & toothpaste
- bar of soap
- comb
- small pack of tissues
- tennis-size ball
- playing cards (eg snap )
- age / gender appropriate small toy/s
- notebook
- pencilcase with pens,pencils, rubber, sharpener, ruler, felts, crayons,chalk)
- hat/ scarf/ gloves
- sweets

Some appeals won't accept liquids (eg bubbles), toiletries, clothing inc underwear or 'dangerous' toys like marbles,guns, warlike action figures etc etc, so check the details carefully.

I do the boxes first of all my Christmas gifts, to get into the right frame of mind.

I wish I could remember which charity my chapel uses now: we were let down by a very well-known charity who didn't collect our 150+ boxes until after Christmas even after we had paid the £300+ transport 'donation' very early.

SuziQ

I do a different age group each year and follow the charity guidelines. I had a bit of a lbm last year whilst queueing in primark with some bits for the boxes. It suddenly hit me that I might be sending stuff that was manufactured by children that were being helped by the charity
I know we can't really help this as probably all shops have stuff manufactured in this way bit it was a sobering thought.

mummybear3

Our school does this every year, maybe you could see if your local schooll does something similar? I've started picking up some toiletry bits and pieces if I see reductions or BOGOF, I'll then add toys or hat and scarf ect nearer the time.

Margaret54

Hi everyone, Yes I am glad some people are mentioning the shoebox appeals here, as my husband and I did two last year, for Operation Christmas Child, and we really enjoyed buying little bits and pieces to put into them. We want to do far more this year, so are starting to look around now. We will be supporting the same chariy as last year, as we are vey happy with it. I know there are other charities out there as mentioned by others, and it is a nice thing to do and to remember not everyone is as fortunate as ourselves. We saw a little film about the children receiving their boxes and the joy on their little faces was wonderful to see. You can do them so cheaply and lovingly and a few pennies spent on this and that mean so much to them. They know someone cares.

got-it-spend-it

cookiedough38 wrote: »

those donating to link romania - what do you put inside as its for families. e.g. how many toothbrushes etc

I'm doing a couple of twin packs of toothbrushes in each, along with a tube of toothpaste. Also some soap, a couple of flannels, some pens and notebooks and lots of kiddies things.