Operation Christmas Child volunteer Lyn Walker has put a call out for the community to get behind this year’s shoebox collection.
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More than 300 shoeboxes from Young, Boorowa and Harden were last year shipped to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Madagascar, Fiji and Papua New Guinea to help underprivileged children.
Boxes are filled with items common kids would take for granted such as Lego, marbles, small toy cars or a hairbrush.
Lyn is Young’s coordinator for Operation Christmas Child – a program operated by humanitarian aid organisation Samaritan’s Purse.
She said there’s always a great response from the Young community.
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“We have a great community in Young. A lot of the schools, churches and just ordinary community people contribute,” she said.
“One year we nearly had 500 boxes. It just depends on what’s happening. There’s lots of different charities out there that people can contribute to.”
From now until the middle of October Lyn is hoping, with the help of the community, to pile up more shoeboxes than last year.
Printed boxes can be picked up at Windscreen Professionals or the Anglican office, with both sites also acting as drop-off points once the boxes are full.
Six categories are designed to help help people fill the shoeboxes – something to love, wear, play with, something for school, personal hygiene and something special.
Ideas include a teddy bear, hat, tennis ball, pencils, a toothbrush or a letter.
“It’s something I have a passion for. I shop all year and I knit all year,” she said.
“I check a lot of boxes here and people are so thoughtful. There’s a lot of people that sew and make knitted beanies and teddies. It’s amazing.
“Some of the stories we hear of how much the children appreciate it it’s really amazing.”
They need to be in Sydney by the end of October. I’ve put a cut off on their for October.
Lyn said many residents from local churches, schools, and different organisations as well as thoughtful individuals, have been busy packing special shoeboxes for the upcoming collection.
“Anyone can get involved,” she said.
Brochures and pre-printed shoeboxes are available at Windscreen Professionals on Lovell Street or the Anglican office on Cloete Street. Or use your own shoebox.
Packed shoeboxes can be delivered to Windscreens Professional or the Anglican office by October 19.
For more details call Lyn Walker on 63839234 or 0428699779.
Last year, a massive total of 327,451 shoeboxes were sent from Australia and New Zealand.
