A DEDICATED group of volunteers will join together to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the local Operation Christmas Child appeal.
Every Christmas, people in Westbury are among those who pack shoeboxes which are then sent to poverty stricken communities across the globe to children who would not receive any presents otherwise. These are distributed via the Melksham operation in Bowerhill, which is now celebrating its 20th anniversary.
As well as gifts such as toys and educational supplies, the boxes also contain necessities such as soap and toothbrushes, as well as scarfs, gloves, and hats. Last year Chantry TV in Westbury town centre collected some 250 boxes from people in Westbury, which were taken to the depot in Melksham before being loaded onto lorries and taken to Belarus, Liberia, Serbia, and Ukraine.
As the charity prepares for this year’s appeal, volunteers are putting on an event as part of their 20th anniversary celebrations. On Saturday 20th October from 10.30am-1.00pm at Melksham Assembly Hall, you can learn more about the charity and find out where shoeboxes created in Westbury are delivered to. There will be a craft stall, cake stall, children’s activities, design a Christmas card, and ‘knitting corner’. Refreshments including tea, coffee, cakes, and scones will be available.
Volunteer for Operation Christmas Child, Bev Viveash said, “We really want to encourage as many people to get involved as possible.
“At our event on the 20th of October, there will be photographs of children receiving their presents and a lot of information about the operation as a whole. You can learn about the step after the shoe boxes are created.
“We’re also available to talk to groups or speak at assemblies in schools, just get in touch.”
This year, the shoe boxes will be sent to disadvantaged children in Liberia, Swaziland, Ukraine and Belarus. The appeal is encouraging you to start creating your shoeboxes now, with a deadline set for November. Chantry TV in Westbury’s High Street will once again be collecting shoeboxes.
You can find out more about the appeal at www.operationchristmas child.org.uk, and if you are interested in volunteering with Operation Christmas Child in Melksham please call 01225 705775.
