Christmas shoebox deadline looms (From Mid Devon Star)

Christmas shoebox deadline looms

7:50pm Saturday 31st October 2009

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THROUGHOUT Devon thousands of Christmas presents are being wrapped in time for November 18.

“This is a big date on our calendar,” said Roger Fenton, regional manager of Operation Christmas Child, “because it is the final date by which the many gift-gilled shoeboxes donated from throughout Devon can be handed in and still give us enough time to get them to the vulnerable children in several countries where the presents will bring much-needed joy this Christmas.

“Our warehouses in Wadebridge, Torquay, Ilminster and Exeter are handling shoeboxes coming in from communities across the area, including Axminster, Barnstaple, Bideford, Bovey Tracey, Buckfastleigh, Dartmouth, Exeter, Honiton, Ilfracombe, Minehead, Newton Abbot, Paignton, Plymouth, Teignmouth, Tiverton, Torquay and Totnes.

"But we do need them by November 18 so that our teams of volunteers can check the boxes prior to shipment.

"We need to be sure they comply with customs requirements and that the contents are suitable for the children to whom they are going.

"Then we pack the shoeboxes in large cartons, load them on to lorries and they set off on their various journeys.

“It is a huge task but well worth it.

"The children receiving them have difficult lives - they may be ill in hospital; a lot live in orphanages or street shelters; or they may be with their families but living in poverty.

"For many, the shoebox is the only present they will receive this Christmas.

"Some have received so little in life that they open their shoebox, look at the gifts and then hand it back, because they do not realise it is for them to keep.

"When they do, their faces are a joy to see."

Anyone wanting to make up a shoebox can click on the related link to the Operation Christmas Child website on this story.

By entering your postcode, you can locate the nearest drop off point to take it to for collection.

Organisers request a £2.50 contribution towards promotion, transport, processing and distribution.

For further details contact the helpline on 0870-0112002.

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