Santa’s challenge 2020 ...

Happy_Kitties

Managed to do a drop off of 6 boxes today and a quick trip to a beautiful beach 2 minutes away that the collector told me about. It was beautiful beach, not too busy and abit off the beaten track. I should imagine that if u didnt know about it, it is one u would miss.
The stories the collector was telling me about the distribution of the boxes were humbling and that even when people had nothing, they still like to share, even if it means lighting a tealight and they like to open the boxes in front of those distributing. He said they can't understand why they are getting a box and why people would think of them.
Its an amazing thing we are doing with the boxes and @Katiehound so lovely of ur friend to provide a donation to do another shoebox. 
Bestie has come up with a shoebox for me so i should be able to complete another 3. One is packed up and done so i should be able to get the other 2 done easily. But where the shoeboxes were stacked and i thought i would see space-nope  it has an empty shoebox waiting to be packed.
I am however finally seeing a reduction in the present pile i had.
More presents were wrapped last night ready to pass on. They are for birthdays later in the year but with everything going on, i dont know whether i can get them to the recipients later in the year, esp as they are for the little ones in the family.
I actually wrapped a christmas presents last night but became fed up and gave up!

Katiehound

I am battling with my material mountain trying to throw out bits that are no good to me ( not throw away- into the charity rag bag)
 I have sewn 4 shopping bags today- to go in the boxes or to go to HQ. There is  a small pile of fabric ideal for this- so, I'll keep sewing! Some is really tough stuff- my friend's 3 piece suite cover! The big pieces became doggy duvet covers and I thought it had all gone- unearthed in the clear up/out!  I want it gone!!!
 Happy-Kitties glad you got to meet the area collector: it is clear from the photos each year that these people have so little so that's why I like to cram my boxes.

I ordered 3 more leaflets from HQ. The box numbers will likely be way down this year as many churches do them, and seemingly some churches aren't even opening until after Christmas.
The aim is to pack 4 boxes this week- I have the contents- and wrap all 8!! Then when I deliver them there will be this HUGE space! (Who am I kidding?)
Now I need to knit x 3 pairs of mittens and work out what I need to buy............

chanie

Katiehound said:

The box numbers will likely be way down this year as many churches do them, and seemingly some churches aren't even opening until after Christmas.

That is very true, Katie.  Although my Church has been opened for a few weeks now, the numbers attending Mass is low.  I suspect that a number of people who have committed to doing boxes won’t be able to fulfil this, due to financial worries, health or just being able to get boxes and things to put in them.

i have been having a clear out and found a few toys for my boxes.  I rescued some of DS old toy cars for my boxes and put them to one side.  I didn’t realise that one of the ‘cars’ was actually a lighter until OH flipped it open to light a cigarette.  Oh dear.    

This year, I decided to do a collection for a Christmas toy appeal.  Although I made this decision pre-Corona (can anyone remember what life used to be like?), I’m so glad I did as there will be many people in need.  My efforts stalled during lockdown, but I made a good start and have a big bag of gifts.

Anglea

Hi everyone. I don't know why but I find it really difficult to post on here now it's been changed, I was only posting on two groups this one and a tv group and have lapsed on both.

Katiehound, did you know in advance you would be on the radio so you were around to listen?

Later this week mum and I will be seeing DS2 and his support worker at a bench at the shops, he's not allowed to come to our homes yet and it's thought confusing if he's allowed into mum's garden and not her house. This will be the 3rd time I've seen him since the lockdown, I haven't seen the other son at all. He's now working for the scientists and he's also got a new project,  livestreaming and interviewing news events, protests and all sorts of things. Don't know when I'll see him. I still haven't sent his family birthday cards for July as he has only just given his new address, he was awol for about a month, which is not that unusual for him, but not good with everything that's been going on lately.

I haven't been anywhere out of the village and only seen mum and friend, it's still quite isolated here. I've had lots of problems finishing dad's affairs after death because of the lockdown so several things still not done as impossible to get hold of people on the phone etc and mum has had ill health and I've had real problems to do with the doctor too. I finally got a telephone appt for myself to speak about her as she didn't have the right help when she's been either on her own or via the phone, and after waiting up all night (as my alarm wasn't working) they didn't call. I eventually discovered they called mum instead and of course she wasn't expecting the call and didn't say everything. So back to square one. 

Happy_Kitties

@Katiehound i'm dropping things off at the charity shop this afternoon. U've reminded me to ask if they collect for the ragman. Always dropped my ragbag off at another charity shop but they stopped doing that back last year which i felt was a real shame when they still get money for the rags.
U must be mad going for the full 8 box wrap!! I can only do little and often
@chanie its a good job u found the lighter car! I've only got one item for a Christmas toy collection so far. Been sending items to the charity auctions i support and have bidded and won a few bits to go in the shoeboxes.
I would have been really stuck without the other collector. Going in the other direction to do the school drop off collection point would have been impossible and not practical with all of the extra Covid precautions for me, thats if they continue to be a collection point.
DD has had a big sort out and i managed to rescue a few things like hats that she has never even worn.
Couple of birthday presents to send today. It seems a year of landmark birthdays this year.
I might pack a shoebox tonight now, itching to get going again

Katiehound

Well, 4 boxes are completely packed  with the mummyfying selotape. Just need the paperwrapper! I have the contents for the other 4. I've decided to aim for them to be completed by the middle of next week so that I can deliver... and then visit Mr T! I don't think I have shopped there this year......I possibly won't wrap them all on the same day.- especially when this hot

@Anglea: I wasn't on the radio this time but I e-mailed a request and made sure I wrote about my charity work as I thought that might be a deciding factor. I got a mention by Michael Ball right at the start of the programme.
In January I did that interview on BBC RadioLincolnshire- but no one heard it!
Last November chatted to Rylan.. and yet again , no one heard me!
So I have both been mentioned and 'appeared' on radio 2.  I have been interviewed on Radio Lincolnshire & Humberside before......... much good it does  me!!

sammy_kaye18

Hello all. 

Room for another small one to pop in and enjoy the Christmas prep? 

I have actually brought my first gifts so I feel like I am making progress slightly but I think I need to pull my finger out if I want to actually get to my deadline of December 1st and being done by then! 

Katiehound

Hello @sammy-kaye18 - of course you are welcome! ('Cept it's not my board!!)
The lady who started the whole thing some years ago, Mum-2-One,  sadly hasn't been to visit for quite a while. Do hope she is OK.

Well my 8 shoeboxes are all packed and 6 of them wrapped as well. I got stuck in yesterday as it was a lot cooler. Think I told you someone took me out to tea as a 'thank you' and gave me £20 to do a box. Well, he has decided  to do 2 maybe 3 of his own and his daughter has joined in. So, between them they hope for 5 or 6- which is brilliant. Talk about the charity enough times and someone succumbs!! No names mentioned....I sent him the link to last year's delivery photos and I think that clinched the deal.

Anyone out there wanting to know what the chat is about: google Link to Hope shoebox appeal 2019 (for pics) and/or 2020 for what to do!

Back to wrap the last 2 boxes.
I also had 5 bin bags of 'stuff' on Thu. so sorting that out for various chairties. The aim was to clear a space- but instead whatever space there was has been gobbled!

Stay safe folks

chanie

sammy  welcome to the thread.
katie how lovely that you have recruited another member to do the Link boxes.  You should be very proud of your achievements.

I bought the children travel pillows today, as they both seem to really want one, for some strange reason.  We have a long haul flight holiday booked for next year, so they will come in use.  I had a little stocktake and decided that the children have enough for their stockings.  Just need to get their main presents, which I will do nearer the time.

MaiMit

Happy! and I am still waiting for Christmas every year!