Operation Christmaschild Boxes

bbjohnny

It does cost £2.50 to send each box but when you think about how much we waste on our kids that just ends up in a box for 350 days a year (fluffy reindeer, penguin and santa cuddlies anyone?) and how much goes in the bin (xmas napkins, luxury crackers) then add on all the toys you buy your kids to bulk out their piles (not that they actually wanted half the stuff) then you'll soon realise that £2.50 per box isn't that much to pay to bring christmas to an impoverished child

You can't specify that these boxes stay in the UK. No further comment on that one else I'll get on my soapbox about how more parents in this country need to refer to MSE and sort their priorities out! Fags and beer should not rank about finding £20 to spend on your kid at Christmas!! Enough said. Social Services sort out presents for all the children in their care. However if you check in November, the Salvation Army do usually put out an appeal for extra presents to be handed in at a supermarket chain.

Katiehound

Just noticed when I was in Wilkinson's that I mispriced the
heart shaped erasers! 4 in pack-32pence. 4 packs for £1 (only that design on offer)

Cheap lead pencils in different area with back-to-school display.

They also have fun make it things out of foam sheets- 2 purses, 2 animals face masks, 2 funky googles, 2 picture frame kits all at £1.
Assume you could easily split the kits.

QueenB.

I have found two local drop of points in my local area:D so have started to get prepared so that i can give at least two in. I will get my sons to help me choose what to put in and what age group to make them for so that they can get really involved.

One question though if i don't have any shoeboxes where could i get them, without doing the obvious thing of buying a new pair of shoes:rotfl:

Katiehound

I think it was last year that Rotary (or was it Round Table) oops I'm confused!! gave out 'shoe boxes' through the local paper, who also collected the filled boxes.
If you have a shoe shop locally, or even several, just go in and explain why you would like boxes and ask if they have a couple. I would think some of them get binned.
Failing that, as there are collection points in your area, ask the local paper to appeal for boxes!

NickyBo_2

QueenB. wrote: »

One question though if i don't have any shoeboxes where could i get them, without doing the obvious thing of buying a new pair of shoes:rotfl:

Clarks shoe shops have always been very helpful to me. I usually need around 30 extra boxes as well as the ones donated at school (as lots of children bring in things for the boxes but no actual box). It's best to phone them in the morning and ask if they can save you however many boxes you need, as this time of year they get lots of people asking and sometimes run out.

Legendmum

My drop off point is a Shoe Zone in my town so I just went in and asked and the lady gave me some and said if I needed more to go back!

purple.sarah

SUESMITH wrote: »

we have also done this since our son was a baby (he's now 19!)

wouldn't be Christmas without packing up a couple of boxes for others. we try to do teenage boy ones cos like others have said they get the least of those.

i would love to know where our boxes have gone over the years.

This year if you pay your donation online they can tell you where your shoebox went by January! Good on you for sending so many over the years, it's really inspirational and I'm sure your son has learnt a lot from it. :A

minety-mum

We keep a box under the spare bed and add to it through the year.
Sorting and packing the boxes is one of the things we do in the October half term, getting everything out and working out what extras are needed, ready to be dropped off.
Someone worked out that it costs about £14 to send a box, which if you buy a bit a time isn't that bad and is the only present that that child will get. They say that children in Romenia will only get one box ever as there are so many needy children.
I can confirm that all the shortdated sweets and chocolate are sold off by the depot workers to pay for extras - we have a friend that all the kids like to see as she has her 'sweet shop'.

bbjohnny

Wow I'd love to know where my boxes go! I just checked and you're right, if you follow the instructions, you will get to know which country your box or boxes went to. I will be doing that, I think it makes it more personal. Interesting to hear what happens to the sweets that can't be sent too.

crystaltipps

I did this with my daughters a quite a few times via school, the Rotary club and Rainbows/Brownies. Then I discovered that you are effectively paying for Christian education programmes and literature distribution and this really irked me. I appreciate that Christmas is primarily a Christian celebration (although I suspect most people in this country do not participate in religious celebration even during this time). I could just about stomach a Christian themed book/pamphlet/literature as I know it is a Christian celebration but to fund a program that '..... introduces children to Jesus, shows them how to receive Him and follow Him, and equips them to share their faith with family and friends.' is a step too far for me.

http://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/the-greatest-journey

I then decided, somewhat reluctantly, that I wouldn't do this anymore but donate instead to Medecins Sans Frontieres instead.

I know this post will sound churlish and not be well received. I know I will get flamed for getting on my high horse and not looking at the bigger picture etc but I am happy for you to do so as the reason I have put myself out for a flaming is because I would love to personally make a child happy again and I am really hoping that someone might know of any alternative organisations that don't use the good will of donors to promote religious propaganda. Even if they are a Christian charity - as long as they are not paying/sponsoring 'lessons in how to to be a good Christian' I would be happy to be involved. I have tried googling in the past and tonight and drawn a blank.