Hello and welcome everyone to another year with Operation Christmas Child, where it is our aim to send as many boxes as possible to children in parts of the world that are in critical need.
WHY DO WE DO IT
Because we love it..... but far more importantly we know that the children in various parts of the world who are in critical need get these gifts of love and really appreciate it. The filled shoeboxes bring so much love and joy to each child and often it changes their lives.
Don't forget there never are enough shoeboxes to meet the demand so if you are pondering over whether to make a shoebox, please do, not only that please encourage others to do so.
Because we love it..... but far more importantly we know that the children in various parts of the world who are in critical need get these gifts of love and really appreciate it. The filled shoeboxes bring so much love and joy to each child and often it changes their lives.
Don't forget there never are enough shoeboxes to meet the demand so if you are pondering over whether to make a shoebox, please do, not only that please encourage others to do so.
WHY WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU
Last year we sent nearly 15,000 shoeboxes to Kyrgyzstan and Bosnia, all checked by over 200 volunteers. Of course ensuring the shoeboxes are nicely wrapped and considered ''fair" we also have to manage all the fillers, pack the cartons, make tea and wash up. We also have to keep the warehouse clean, show visitors round, organise collections and send the drivers out who collect all the shoeboxes. A team of people do the training, some others recreate some boxes which are in need of some T.L.C., others will sharpen pencils behind the scenes. The accounts need to be done, but what whatever job needs to be done it cannot be done without those who comealong and give up their time to "make it all happen" .
WHERE ARE OUR SHOEBOXES GOING THIS YEAR?
As in the past few years, our filled shoeboxes are going to Kyrgyzstan. We asked for this location as we have some links with the country with three of our registered volunteers having been there, helping to distribute our shoeboxes and meeting our local agents who do a fantastic job out there in finding the children who are most in need.
Not all warehouses can send their shoeboxes to Kyrgyzstan. Guildford do a sufficient amount of shoeboxes to fill a container and that is a requirement for that country.
Of course being a large area and getting a good number of shoeboxes we not only fill the container but also have enough to fill another lorry which this year is going to the Ukraine.
As in the past few years, our filled shoeboxes are going to Kyrgyzstan. We asked for this location as we have some links with the country with three of our registered volunteers having been there, helping to distribute our shoeboxes and meeting our local agents who do a fantastic job out there in finding the children who are most in need.
Not all warehouses can send their shoeboxes to Kyrgyzstan. Guildford do a sufficient amount of shoeboxes to fill a container and that is a requirement for that country.Of course being a large area and getting a good number of shoeboxes we not only fill the container but also have enough to fill another lorry which this year is going to the Ukraine.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED SO FAR
Since the launch back in September, many of you have continued to make, collect and encourage others to participate in our OCC activities in many ways. The team has been preparing for the main event ..... The Warehouse, therefore a flurry of activities have been happening behind the scenes, this includes hiring of vans, obtaining tables and chairs, buying tea, coffee etc arranging collections, making sure that everyone is informed. Oh yes, and one more thing...... finding a warehouse! This proved to be somewhat difficult however, we have come up trumps.
Since the launch back in September, many of you have continued to make, collect and encourage others to participate in our OCC activities in many ways. The team has been preparing for the main event ..... The Warehouse, therefore a flurry of activities have been happening behind the scenes, this includes hiring of vans, obtaining tables and chairs, buying tea, coffee etc arranging collections, making sure that everyone is informed. Oh yes, and one more thing...... finding a warehouse! This proved to be somewhat difficult however, we have come up trumps.
OUR WAREHOUSE
After what was a rather stressful period we managed to get a fantastic warehouse, thanks to the support of the Mayor and her P.A. The warehouse is large enough for us to work in very comfortably, enough space for us to take the cartons from Esher again and in a great location.
The address is Midleton House, 12, Midleton Road Guildford, GU2 8XW.
After what was a rather stressful period we managed to get a fantastic warehouse, thanks to the support of the Mayor and her P.A. The warehouse is large enough for us to work in very comfortably, enough space for us to take the cartons from Esher again and in a great location.The address is Midleton House, 12, Midleton Road Guildford, GU2 8XW.
WHAT WE ARE HOPING FOR IN 2013
We are hoping for a huge number of shoeboxes, at least 15,000 we are hoping that we get as many volunteers as last year, we are hoping that we get lots of visitors to show around and enthuse them so in the future they will also engage in our OCC operation and encourage others to do so too.
We would love to see more young people getting on board so that we can continue into the future and we also hope that we can find more people among our many volunteers who would like to get more involved throughout the year by being Presenters and Trainers during warehouse time.
We are hoping for a huge number of shoeboxes, at least 15,000 we are hoping that we get as many volunteers as last year, we are hoping that we get lots of visitors to show around and enthuse them so in the future they will also engage in our OCC operation and encourage others to do so too.
We would love to see more young people getting on board so that we can continue into the future and we also hope that we can find more people among our many volunteers who would like to get more involved throughout the year by being Presenters and Trainers during warehouse time.
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