Operation Christmas Child 2011:

In our school this term we have continued to raise awareness of what the Samaritan's Purse charity do every year. They meet the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease and natural disaster.

They do this by asking our school community to pack a shoe box. A shoe box can contain toys, educational supplies, hygiene items or a selection of other items. Your shoe box will make a child feel special and valued, letting them know that you care about them. Choosing gifts and then filling and wrapping a shoe box is fun and a rewarding activity for all the family - especially when you know these gifts are going to be used and treasured.

Your shoe box will be hand delivered to a child in need, asking nothing from them in return. Operation Christmas Child empowers local partners to ensure that your shoe boxes are delivered with the highest levels of integrity and respect.

Operation Christmas child is an initiative of Samaritan's Purse - a Christian relief and development organisation which works through local churches to proclaim and demonstrate the love of God to children and families in need across Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

Our Shoebox Appeal…

Operation Christmas child is the world's largest children's Christmas project, bringing joy into the lives of underprivileged children since 1990. Last year, nearly 1.2 million shoeboxes were packed with gifts and goodies and sent from the UK to children who need them most in some of the toughest pasts of the world.

From your hands into theirs…

Giving a shoebox gift is really quite simple. You wrap and pack it, we check and send it, and our in-country partners deliver it. It starts in your hands and ends in theirs.

In the UK, we have an army of dedicated volunteers who give their time freely to ensure the shoeboxes get to where they need to go. Overseas, we work with local churches and other Christian partners to ensure that your shoeboxes are given to the neediest children. We always give shoeboxes to children based on need, regardless of their background or religious beliefs. It's an unconditional gift, asking nothing in return.

If you have any questions about creating a shoebox please speak to Mrs. Finnan.