A COVENTRY warehouse which has been transformed into a processing centre for a Christmas shoebox appeal needs around 1,000 volunteers to ensure they’re shipped out to disadvantaged children around the world.
International Christian relief organisation Samaritan’s Purse has launched Operation Christmas Child, which has been running for the last 32 years.
The processing at the warehouse launched earlier this month, and it will prepare 70,000 shoeboxes full of gifts for shipment each day until December 17.
They have had 200 volunteers sign up so far, who have been inspecting, organising and loading shoeboxes.
The Coventry unit at Stonebridge Trading Estate is one of four processing centres across the UK.
The boxes will fill eight lorries to Albania, Belarus, Central Asia, Moldova, and Ukraine, and will go towards the global aim of reaching 11million children in need.
Dmitro and his family, who have travelled to Coventry from war-torn Ukraine, are among those volunteering.
Nick Cole, Director of Operation Christmas Child at Samaritan’s Purse, said: “We do this to bring peace and hope to children in very difficult circumstances, and we are particularly keen to send to Ukrainian families and countries such as Moldova where our partners are hosting families from Ukraine.
“It is particularly humbling to have Dmitro and his family with us this year, to see first-hand the support from people.
Something as small as a shoebox full of toys or essentials can help remind those children they are loved and not forgotten.”
Landowners The Wigley Group have helped the charity set up their new base at a reduced rate.
Volunteer sessions last two hours and 15 minutes on Tuesdays to Saturdays, and donations to the appeal are still being accepted at unit 7, Stonebridge Industrial Estate.
Call 0208 559 1180 or visit samaritans-purse.org.uk/occ for more information about volunteering.
