Operation Christmas Child - Shoeboxes bursting with Joy!

Derek & Marion Cole will again be coordinating Central's support of the Operation Christmas Child project and have been grateful for your contributions over the past few years. This year they are asking for shoe boxes to be completed for dedication at the family service on 7th November. If anyone feels they cannot fill a box, any items or cash donations would be very much appreciated. If you want to know more please call Marion & Derek Cole on 01566 774121.

How to pack your shoebox...

1. Find an empty shoebox
The shoebox should be a medium size as shown. Wrap the lid and the box separately in wrapping paper.

2. Decide if your gift is for a boy or a girl
Attach a secure note to the box with the details. You can download a great label together with a donation form here.

3. Fill your box full with gifts
You can use the following *gift ideas list for inspiration.
(Note: Please DO NOT include items in the 'No thanks' section.)

4. Make your donation
Please give online if possible or download the form here. Any questions  please call Marion & Derek Cole on 01566 774121.

5. Get your shoebox to Central Methodist Church, Launceston in time for the dedication service on 7th November - call Marion & Derek Cole on 01566 774121 for details.

*What Gifts can I include?

Toys - Bear, soft toy, tennis ball, finger puppet, jigsaw, yo-yo, building blocks, small musical instrument. For boys trucks and cars, for girls dolls, clip on earrings etc.

Educational supplies - Felt pens, pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser, colouring book, notepad, picture or puzzle book, chalk, pencil case, stickers etc.

Hygiene items - Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush, comb, hair clips, bar of soap, flannel etc.

Other items - Sweets (sell by date to be at least March of the following year), gloves, scarf, sunglasses, cap, hat, bangles, necklaces etc.
(All gifts should be new, please include items from each category)

No thanks! - please note the following items are not allowed...

No food especially chocolate. Only exception, non chocolate sweet are allowed.
No medicine or vitamins of any kind.
No war related items - toy guns, soldiers or knives of any kind.
No clothing other than listed above.
No fragile items - glass containers, mirrors.
No liquids including blow bubbles, shampoo, bubble bath, toiletry sets or aerosols.
No dangerous items Any sharp objects, scissors or razors.
No novels.
Nothing of a political nature.
No hand knitted stuffed toys without a CE mark.

The small print...
Due to import regulations, all gifts should be new and comply with the conditions listed above. Please make sure your gifts are age appropriate and that you do not send items in a shoebox (intended for a small child), which might be swallowed or mistaken for sweets.

Should you inadvertently include any item that is not suitable or might be regarded as dangerous for the intended child, Samaritan's Purse reserves the right to remove that item and use it for the benefit of the charity. Occasionally we have to change the contents to meet specific country requirements or change the shoebox to meet our approximate dimensions.

Useful Links
http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/how-to-pack-your-shoebox

Tel: 0870 011 2002 or
Tel: 01392 455 036

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Web: www.samaritans-purse.org.uk.

UK Charity No. 1001349. Scotland SC039251. Company No. 2462257 © Samaritan's Purse