It may only be October, but many Stone residents are already getting into the Christmas spirit! Stone Baptist Church members, St Johns Church, and other local organisations are supporting this year’s Operation Christmas Child’s Shoebox appeal.
Running since 1990, Operation Christmas Child has been making underprivileged children’s Christmases brighter around the world, with gift filled shoeboxes wrapped and packaged by children & adults in the UK, making it the UK’s largest children’s appeals.
As part of the appeal, Stone’s community spirit each year has come through, sending hundreds of shoe boxes overseas. Each box is filled with simple toiletries (soap & flannel, toothbrush & paste), stationery (notebook & pencil, colouring books & pencils), and small gifts/creative items (teddy, ball, skipping rope, bead kits). Though the items may seem simple, they can mean the world to children who would not otherwise receive any presents at all.
Stone residents are now being encouraged to join the initiative, buying & donating items ready for the “Wrap & Pack” party on Sunday 13th November at Manor Hill First School from 1pm. Then come along and make up a box of presents which will be sent overseas mid-November. A Christmas card or photo can also be included.
Donations of items can be made in-store at the Co-op in Stone High Street up to Saturday 12th November, or alternatively brought along to the party itself, where shoe boxes (and refreshments!) will be provided.
For lots more ideas on what to donate – see www.samaritans-purse.org.uk & choose ‘Operation Christmas Child’.
