Imagine if the children in your life were only to receive one gift for Christmas in their entire life. Seems hard to believe doesn’t it? This however, is the reality for many children in the world today. The poverty in their world is unimaginable to those of us who live in an affluent country like Australia.

This is the reason that Operation Christmas Child, or the Shoe Box appeal as it is better known, came about. The appeal has been operating in the Lower Clarence area for many years now and it is happening again this year with the support of church groups, community organisations and individuals.

Shoe boxes can contain a variety of items including school supplies, toys, clothes, toiletry items or something to play with. These should all be new items in order to satisfy import regulations in the participating countries.

If you, or a group with which you are associated, is interested in helping to support this special project please contact our local shoe box coordinator, Beth Sonter, on 0428 452 740. Beth has plenty of boxes that are waiting to be filled and these can be delivered to you anywhere in the Lower Clarence area.

The boxes should be returned to the Baptist Church Hall, Scullin Street Townsend on either September 5, 6 or 7 between 9.am and 12 noon or call Beth who will arrange collection before these dates.

Please help put a smile on a child’s face this Christmas and a smile in your heart knowing that a child has received this once in a lifetime special gift from a caring stranger.

Beth Sonter