Issue 446 – New deposit point for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes

SHOEBOXES for Operation Christmas Child can now be deposited at Chantry electrical store on the High Street.

In previous years Coopers was a collection point, but after the supermarket shut down Chantry’s has stepped in to become the town’s new deposit point.
Each year Operation Christmas Child sends thousands of shoeboxes filled with gifts for children in other countries who otherwise wouldn’t receive anything at all. ­­­­
Chantry manager Colin Ludlow said, “We wanted to do it because it’s for children. As a parent you feel for kids, I can’t imagine what it’s like for them. If we can help then that’s a good thing. We want everyone to know that they can come here to drop off their boxes, we’ll take them all.”
Last year around a thousand boxes in total were donated from the Westbury area, a considerable contribution towards the total of 20,000 that was sent from the region. Nationally 1.2 million shoeboxes were wrapped and sent from the UK.
Chantry will be accepting shoeboxes up until Wednesday 18th November, after which the boxes will be started to be shipped abroad. This year boxes from the region are destined for eastern Europe and Liberia.
Judith Whalley, Operation Christmas Child regional rep, said, “We’re very very grateful to Chantry’s, I think they’re wonderful. A big thank you to them. These children would literally get absolutely nothing for Christmas if we didn’t help them. It’s wonderful to see the reaction when they are given a box.”
If you are thinking of putting a shoebox together for Operation Christmas Child full details on items to include can be found at www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk, or by phoning their helpline on 08700 112 002.
Pictured above: Chantry manager Colin Ludlow with Operation Christmas Child regional rep Judith Whalley.