Christmas Child boxes are ready.
By Stan Stewart.
A FUN CHALLENGE – Fill a ‘Christmas Child Shoebox’
Since 1993, 157 million of these Christmas Child Shoeboxes have been distributed to children in difficult and dangerous parts of the world. It all started in 1990 in England by David and Jill Cooke who had viewed on TV the plight of children in orphanages in war ravaged Romania. They felt they had to do something for the children and their publicity of the cause of the orphans led to a convoy of nine trucks of practical relief from Wrexham to Rumania.
In 1993 David rang the Director of Samaritans Purse, Franklin Graham and talked with him about the need of children in war-torn Bosnia. Graham, who through the Samaritan’s Purse was already involved in Bosnia immediately took up the challenge and that is how the Christmas Child Shoebox appeal commenced.
When people fill a ‘Christmas Child Shoebox’ they have no knowledge of where that box will go. All that is known is that it will go to a child in great need somewhere. For instance, the Shoeboxes that I saw distributed had been filled by people in Denmark. When you collect your Shoebox, you will also receive suggestions as to what can be packed in the box. Obviously, war toys, Barbie Dolls and lollies are not suitable. Nor is religious material permitted. Many of the boxes go countries where religion is controlled or not permitted.
From personal experience I know of many cases where filling the box has been an enjoyable and educational family project. Children can be prompted to suggest what they would like to receive if they had nothing.
A donation of $12.50 is required with every box to cover shipping.
From personal experience I know of many cases where filling the box has been an enjoyable and educational family project. Children can be prompted to suggest what they would like to receive if they had nothing.
Last year 260 boxes went from the Coromandel. This year we are hoping to send 300. The last day for the receipt of the Shoe boxes is October 29.
The Christmas Child Shoeboxes are available NOW from the locations listed.
Shipping Cost for each box. The cost of shipping is $12.50 and the preferred way of paying this is on-line – instructions are with the box. However, where this is not possible cash payments can be included in the Christmas Box, in an envelope (not supplied). Please clearly mark the envelope ‘Shipping Cost’.
Picking up a Christmas Box: 'Christmas Child Shoebox Boxes' are available NOW from all the churches, and from:
The Informer Office, 14 Monk Street, Whitianga, Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm.
The Monkey House Theatre, 18 Coghill Street, Whitianga
Café Coghill House, 10 Coghill Street, Whitianga
Te Rerenga School, 1229 Whangapoua Road, Te Rerenga 3582
Dropping off a Christmas Box: Boxes must be returned to the Informer Office, 14 Monk Street, Monday-Friday 8am-4pm, or to St Peter’s Anglican, Fridays and Sundays between 10am – 12noon.
Deadline for dropping off boxes is Sunday, October 29th, 2023.
Enquires to the Co-Ordinator, Robyn Balfour 020 409 39674.
Caption: Operation Christmas Child.