For Dot Hawkes

[naomi24]

Hi Dot, on another thread, you mentioned Christmas parcels for the troops abroad. We've done this in the past, and would like to continue, but I'm told Royal Mail won't accept parcels this year unless they're addressed to a specific person. Can you please give me a contact for the scheme you're taking part in so that I can make further enquiries? Many thanks.

[lozzylou]

if you contact your local red cross branch, they run this scheme and will help you out with any info that you may need

[naomi24]

Thanks lozzy. I'll do that.

[jen78]

I am wanting to do this as well as Operation Christmas Child which I'm hoping to get work organised in so any details welcome or will contact the Red Cross as suggested above.

[lozzylou]

what is operation christmas i have not heard of this one?

[jen78]

Operation Christmas Child is great, I've done it for years.

Wrapped shoebox christmas parcels are collected to give to children in orphanages and such across the world. Romania especially is very special to my heart after doing some youth work over there som eyears ago.

Essentially it's to give Christmas presents to children who wouldn't normally get anything.

One of the most heartbreaking stories I heard was when a load of presents were given out in an orphanage one Christmas and the children started banging them like drums as they didn't know what to do with them having not expected any presents.

There are guidelines as to what to put in. I usually go for some useful bits like a toothbrush, toothpaste, flannel, soap etc... usually funny kids ones then go for some toys and pretty things for the girls (you specify if for a girl or boy and what age range (I usually do one of each).

A hat, scarf and gloves and some warm socks if to a colder place.

Some fun stuff for Christmas day like balloons and streamers and party things.

Wilco's is great for it as lots of small fun stuff for kids.

It's a great thing to organise through work etc...

Site here...

http://www.operationchristmaschild.org.uk/

[PatriciaH]

What lovely gestures , especially for the orphaned children... the ED should promote this i think , cmon ED do your duty on this one ?

[dustinmyeye]

the school sent leaflets home about this operation christmas child thing and i think it is wonderful i intend on getting involved with this worthwhile cause.

[dot.hawkes]

Lots of us are doing these boxes at work because one of the ladies on jewellry's daughter's BF is in Helmand Province, I gave her lots of the empty shoe boxes i had and then she is organising the collections, I'm not back at work yet but I will ask her for more details on where she is having them picked up. I know she isn;t posting them as it is the size of the box that is important not the weight, if that makes sense.

[naomi24]

Up until now, the weight has been the important factor and 2kgs has been the limit. For a few weeks in November and December, Royal Mail will still deliver parcels weighing up to 2kgs free of charge - but only if they are addressed to named personnel. See number 4 here.

http://www.bfpo.mod.uk/pre_xmas_freepacketserv ice.htm

I've look on the Red Cross website, and it seems they offer ready made gifts for you to buy and for them to distribute - but they are for Third World countries - not for the Troops. Perhaps your friend can send them, Dot, because she is addressing them to a specific person who then distributes them?

Thanks for all your answers. Any more information will be gratefully received.

[dot.hawkes]

I'll not be seeing her until at least saturday as i am work incapacitated til then, I don't know any more, only what she's put on the notice in the canteen, which is keep to the shoe box size and nothing fresh. She did a list that included sweets and razors and toothbrushes but i added McVities jamaica ginger cake and tinned custard cos i sent that to my nephew in the Desert Storm campagn years ago and it was the highglight for him!!!

[naomi24]

Sorry to hear you're incapacitated, Dot. Hope you're better soon.

I know these Christmas parcels mean a lot to those serving overseas - and I can imagine how your ginger cake and custard went down. That must have been a real treat for your nephew. I'd really appreciate any information you're able to get once you're back at work. If this thread is pages back by that time, and you don't want to search for it, you can always leave a message for me in Religion and Spirituality (sub-section of Society & Culture). Thanks very much.