Operation Christmas Child 1st-18th November

JuJu_3

Thanks BusyGirl, you've said exactly what I wanted to say.


I too help out at a collection point for these boxes, and as BusyGirl says I can confirm that

WE DO NOT PUT ANY RELIGIOUS LEAFLETS INSIDE THE BOX!

Just extra things such as sweets, toys and gloves if they need topping up, (some boxes come in with next to nothing in them).

I'm not a Churchgoer, but I do want to bring joy to children who have nothing.

I'm not interested in the politics. It's the children that matter.

I'm not sure where mrspnut gets her info from, that's certainly not the experience that friends of mine have had when the boxes have been handed out.
JuJu :hello:

shadej

I do understand everyone's concern with Samaritans Purse and I do believe they are wrong for adding such leaflets. But if we all abandon them, aren't we really abandoning the children they work with. It will be the children that miss out, not the charity.
We might think we are doing right and satisfying our own piece of mind by avoiding something we don't agree with. The long and short or it is, all the staff at Samaritans Purse will have a good xmas regardless of wither or not we give, but the children wont. They will have no gifts. It is unfair that we abandon them because the company that help them are not to our standard, they still need our help.
The Samaritans Purse cover areas other charity's do not, these children will be forgotten.

snoony2

Shadej - I do agree with what you are saying, but, just to clarify - I know someone who checks and seals the boxes and no religious materials/leaflets are ever put in.

What I'm not certain about is how the boxes are distributed when they reach their destination - however, there is no doubt that they are given to children that have virtually nothing, and will bring much joy.

Just to let everyone know - my friend mentioned that with Samaritans purse they like you to include a photo as the children like to know who their gifts have come from.


I'm not religious but believe all the charities mentioned in this thread are worthy of our support - regardless of which charity we each choose to make up boxes for, everyone on here is doing it for the same reason - to bring some happiness to the life of someone who is much less fortunate than ourselves.

I know it's not up to me to say, but I'd prefer if this thread focused more on what everyone is including in their boxes - has anyone found any good 'grab it now' bargains or had any good ideas about items to include? I'd like to see some lists and photos - I've done boxes for a few years now and try to squeeze in as many items as I possibly can - would love some more ideas though.

laura2481

famous.last.words wrote: »

I

heres what i put in, if it helps anyone
Family box
- toy cat
- set of plastic knives, spoons and forks
- tampons
- play-doh
- Pencil Sharpener
- toy snake
- bag of chewie sweets x2
- Ear cleaners
- post-in notes
- razors
- loads of hairbands, grips and slides
- 2 transformers toys
- 2 toy cars
- Flannels
- notebook
- pens, pencils, crayons, rubbers and felt tips
- toothbrushes
-toothpaste
- bubbles
- a few saches of face creams, ect.
- all new, from asda and pound shops!

Great ideas! I never would have thought of sanitary products but I guess that's something we take for granted! I'm looking out for BOGOF offers on stuff I need like toothpaste so I can fill up my box (my BF has size 10 feet so his trainer's box is a good size box) I wrapped up my box last night in preparation of filling it!

JuJu_3

Laura, Tesco and Asda sell value/basics toothpaste for 18p per tube, (I bought 30 tubes yesterday to top up boxes) which works out cheaper than most bogof offers.
The children won't mind that it's not a big name!

Ju

laura2481

Fab, I'll be popping along to Asda then, for myself too! I don't mind if it's not a top brand as long as it's minty!

shadej

Does anyone think it may be a good idea to include seeds?
They can plant there own veg. I was thinking tomatoes, spuds, peas and carrots.
Let me know please. I'm gonna put up a photo of one of my boxes, they are very heavy.

snoony2

Tesco have packs of 2 value toothbrushes for 13p
Wilkinsons have bars of soap for 15p
and Partners have a BOGOF offer on felt tips and coloured pencils at the moment - so you can pick up a mini pack of felt tips for 25p!

oh...Superdrug had drawstring toiletry bags (will fold flat in bottom of box) reduced to 10p each

hope this helps someone

snoony2

Shadej - that's a great idea but I think they would probably get taken out of the box

shadej

Why would they take them out? Security reasons or theft? Surely no one steals seeds.