In 2012 the kind people of Wirral wrapped and packed 11,150 shoeboxes with gifts and love which were sent to needy children in Swaziland and Romania. If you helped in any way to accomplish this – thank you! Can we count on your support again this year? If you have not been involved before – can I encourage you to start this year?
Do you have a child or children at school? If so please ask if the school will be “doing boxes” this year when they go back to school. Of course you do not need to have children to fill shoeboxes – they will bring joy to both the giver and receiver whether you are 3 or 103 and you do not need to take them to a school – there are drop off points throughout the Wirral.
If you are not sure what to include, think of it as a Christmas stocking, filled with gifts that are fun and/or practical:
- A card and/or photo – the children want to know who cares so much about them
- Some packets of sweets, no chocolate please (all dated end of March 2014 or later).
- Paper and pens – always a big hit and may enable a child to go to school as in some countries they must provide their own stationary.
- Some small toys e.g. a ball, a doll, a car, puzzles, games, jewellery, craft kits
- A hat (and/or scarf/gloves)
- …. and of course a small cuddly toy (even for the older boys).
- Last but not least £3 donation (or pay online) for transportation – this is really essential
Lots of small gifts are more fun than one or two multipacks! Homemade items are brilliant – but must not be stuffed (customs requirements!).
We are sometimes asked whether the children who receive the boxes have to be or to become Christians. The short answer is a resounding NO!
The following is taken from FAQs on the OCC website “OCC is open to people from all walks of life, faith, race and ethnic background, at both giving and receiving ends. Shoeboxes are given to children who are victims of poverty, war, disease or natural disaster on the basis of need alone. At no time is a receiving child required to become a Christian, sign a pledge, pray a prayer or attend Bible classes; their shoebox is an unconditional gift from someone who cares about their plight.” [My italics]
If you would like to know more about OCC there will be a coffee morning and slide presentation at St Bridget’s Parish Church Centre in West Kirby at 10:30 am on Sat 5th October. You can also look at the OCC web-site, the main Facebook page, our own Wirral OCC FB page or contact me on 07955383692. We are always happy to answer questions and we have trained CRB-checked speakers who are more than happy to speak to groups, small or large, about OCC.
Patricia Hardman