Operation Christmas Child
This is an international project organised by the charity Samaritan’s Purse. The aim is to provide shoe boxes packed with Christmas gifts to be distributed to children in some of the most impoverished countries of the world.
Stratford Soroptimists have been supporting this project for a number of years. Club members collect items to fill the boxes and raise enough money to pay the cost of transporting their boxes overseas. They gather together each November, working in relays to pack the boxes and stopping only to enjoy a fish and chip supper. Approximately 120 boxes, each one covered in bright Christmas wrapping paper, are sent off by the club each year.
Each box is clearly marked with the age group and gender of the child for whom it will be best suited. A typical box contains a warm hat, scarf and gloves, a soft toy, pens, pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser, drawing books, sweets, toiletries and other suitable novelty items.