Shoeboxes for Christmas
Fourteen members of SI Crosby - and one prospective member - joined President Pat at a ‘shoebox evening’ in support of Operation Christmas Child. This year members decided to concentrate on presents for girls, from toddlers to teens. Members brought along gifts, empty shoeboxes and rolls of bright paper. Very soon the drab boxes were transformed into attractive containers, and then filled to the brim with toys, pencils, notebooks, hats, gloves and a host of other goodies.
This year’s total was 33 boxes. By arrangement with club member Clare Baxter, Headteacher of Streatham House School, Blundellsands, these join her pupils’ contributions, ready for transportation.
Operation Christmas Child is organised by the charity Samaritan’s Purse, which works with local partners in host countries to distribute the gifts to children in need. Destination countries include Bosnia, Romania, Montenegro, Kyrgyzstan and Swaziland.
Crosby’s Soroptimists have supported Operation Christmas Child for several years. The packing evening is always good fun, as well as being a valuable Programme Action project that brings together club members in a co-operative effort on behalf of others.