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OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Operation Christmas Child is a project of the international charity Samaritan's Purse. It is sometimes called LOVE IN A SHOE BOX.
"A tool for showing love to children around the world -- for children who have been abandoned, for children who live in poverty, for children who suffer because of war or disease. These unconditional gifts, the only ones that many of them ever receive, are a sign that someone cares."
We've started out 2012 with a donation from the Northfield branch of Sainsbury's. They have kindly donated some of their leftover Sports Relief merchandise. The children are going to love the hand-clappers, Deeley Boppers (head bands with wobbly antennae), and brightly patterned socks. Cheers to Debee (P.R.) and to all her colleagues for the wonderful contribution.
In 2012 we will again take your completed boxes, or you can bring items that we will add to boxes we fill together. Please bring your completed box or gift items to Northfield Baptist Church by early November 2012. Business donations are welcome; please contact the Church on 0121-476-6678. Any home knitters can help with hats and gloves/mittens in various sizes to fit children from newborn to age 14. Glove puppets and other knitted or crochet items are also welcomed.
THE BOX: Find a medium-size adult shoe box. Wrap the top and the bottom separately with gift wrap.
THE CHILD: Choose a boy or a girl and the age range: Baby, 2 to 4, 5 to 9, or 10 to 14 years. (Hint: The older boys have the fewest boxes given.)
PUT SOME OF THESE ITEMS IN YOUR BOX: Please note: all items must be clean and as good as new. •Toothbrush, toothpaste, bar of soap, face flannel, comb. •Pencils and sharpener (but not for the 2 to 4s), eraser, pens, set of crayons or felt pens, solar-powered calculator. •Notepad, colouring book, picture book, stickers. • Geometry sets, craft kits and scissors (for the 10 to 14s only). •Hat or cap, gloves, scarf, new socks. •Puzzle, small ball, toy car or plane, toy animals, doll, musical instrument, skipping rope, blow-up toys. •Jewellery, new make-up, hair accessories, new nail polish, small purse. •Cuddly toy (no home-made stuffed toys) or glove puppet. •Wind-up torch, watch. •Sweets (not chocolate) with a sell-by date of at least March 2013. •Greetings card, photo of yourself. •Other items can be put in too.
DO NOT PUT THESE ITEMS IN YOUR BOX: •No edible items or clothing other than that listed above. •No war related items. •No books with words. •No marbles. •No medicines. •No liquids or aerosols. •No fragile or sharp objects including breakable mirrors, razors and glass containers. •Nothing of a political or religious nature except Christmas greetings card and sticker book.
COMPLETE THE BOX: Please pick up an OCC leaflet from the Northfield Baptist Church or request one from Samaritan's Purse on 0870-011-2002, or see their website http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk.
The leaflet contains an envelope for delivery expenses. This can be put inside the box as cash or cheque, or donations given online will be given a reference number to place in the box (which will save costs.)
The leaflet also contains a label to put on the box, and then a rubber band around the box will finish it.
BRING THE GIFT OR BOX: Please bring your gift items or filled box to the Church in by early November during one of these times:
Sundays 10:00 to 12:00
Weekdays 10:00 to 13:30
Mondays 19:00 to 20:00
Wednesdays 18:00 to 20:00
There is power in a simple gift -- the power of God's love. They travel by air, sea and land. Over the last 20 years Operation Christmas Child has sent boxes over 81 million children who are in great need around the world. The boxes are given without regard to race or religion. If no offense will be caused, the children are offered a little story book about Jesus and about half of them take it.
In 2011, with the help of many from our Coffee Lounge and other acitvities on our premises, as well as the residents of Ash Grove, we were able to send 264 shoeboxes of gifts. Thank you to all who felt able to bring a gift item or give cash, or help make games, knit hats, or wrap boxes. We givbe a special thank you to the Northfield Scope shop which donated many items.
In 2011, the whole of the U.K. sent nearly 1.1 million boxes to eastern Europe, the former Soviet states, Haiti and Africa. If you have helped, thank you for your "love in a shoe box".
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