Donors dig deep for shoebox appeal

The shoeboxes donated to Operation Christmas Child have come from communities throughout South Yorkshire, including Rotherham and Mexborough.

Teams of volunteers at the charity’s processing centres—in Barnsley, Dinnington, Doncaster, Hull, Rotherham and Sheffield—checked and loaded the shoeboxes for their journey to Belarus, Crimea, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan and Liberia.

The shoeboxes, packed with toys, educational items, sweets and other small gifts, will bring Christmas joy to children who are living in difficult conditions in orphanages, children’s homes, street shelters and hospitals, or perhaps with their family but in conditions of poverty.

Regional manager for Operation Christmas Child, Jane Simmonds, said: “People here have been brilliant. Times are quite tough for many, but they have still gone out of their way to pack a shoebox.

“The encouraging comments our volunteers get when collecting shoeboxes from schools, churches, businesses, at drop-off points and from people handing them in at the warehouse remind us there are many good, kind-hearted people out there.

“We see thoughtfulness from all ages and walks of life and it is very humbling.

“I wish each of these people could see the impact their shoeboxes have on the children who get them.

“It really makes a difference and brings joy and happiness to children who have very difficult lives.”

Most lorries are now en route but there is still time to back the appeal.

“The good news is that we have a new online service that allows people to do a shoebox up to December 25,” added Jane.

“All they need to do is go to www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/shoeboxworld.”