Operation Christmas Child needs your help

Operation Christmas Child Calls for united community action

Samaritan’s Purse is appealing to everyone across Edinburgh and Midlothian to join others in their community and help bring joy and hope to one million children as part of this year’s Operation Christmas Child appeal.

Over the past 23 years, globally, through Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan’s Purse has delivered over 100 million gift-filled shoeboxes to disadvantaged children in over 100 countries.

Right now teams of Operation Christmas Child volunteers across Edinburgh and Midlothian are busy setting up Drop Off Points and warehouses in order to collect and process the thousands of shoeboxes that will be sent from Edinburgh and Mid Lothian to children in countries like Belarus, Liberia, Romania, Swaziland and Ukraine this Christmas, but more help is urgently needed.

“Christmas is almost upon us and we urgently need people in Edinburgh and Midlothian to work with us to help us reach our target of delivering one million shoeboxes from the UK this year,” said June Vasey, Samaritan’s Purse Area Coordinator for Edinburgh and Midlothian.

“Getting involved in Operation Christmas Child, wrapping and packing shoeboxes can be such fun and is always hugely rewarding.  Every year we see people organising their work colleagues, teachers working with parents and schoolchildren and churches inviting their communities to get involved.

“It can also be hard work, so while we are grateful for our existing teams of volunteers, we are always looking for more, to help at our warehouses.  Again, hugely rewarding, if only because a small investment of time will bring smiles to the faces of so many children overseas this Christmas.  These children are always so thankful to know that someone on the other side of the world cares about them.”

To find out the nearest centre where people can volunteer or drop off their shoeboxes go to the website or follow on Facebook