Local MP David Mundell has pledged his support for the annual Christmas shoebox appeal, run by Samaritan's Purse.
After delivering their 100 millionth shoebox last year, Samaritan’s Purse is calling for help from churches, schools, businesses and individuals across the UK to bring joy to another one million children this Christmas.
After 23 years, the global efforts of Operation Christmas Child have enabled Samaritan’s Purse to surpass their goal of reaching 100 million needy children in 156 countries. Now the charity is hoping to send another 100 million shoeboxes within the next ten years.
This year the Christian charity is hoping to distribute more than one million gift filled shoeboxes, donated by people and organisations across the UK. Mr Mundell plans to add his own donation and is encouraging others to think about giving more generally in the run up to Christmas.
In most cases these needy children have ‘nothing’ and a shoebox full of simple gifts can mean the world to them.
“Sadly now, more than ever, there are children around the world who have nothing, which is why I think this and other similar appeals are so worthwhile,” said Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale MP David Mundell.
“We are in the run-up to Christmas and the festive period, a time when those of us who are able should be thinking about how we can help those less fortunate than ourselves. This may be through giving up time to support a charity, donating something like a shoebox, or simply giving cash to one of the many worthwhile charities,” he added.
Operation Christmas Child Facts:
Operation Christmas Child is a global children’s project of Samaritan’s Purse that uses simple gift-filled shoe boxes containing school supplies, toys, necessity items and notes of encouragement to let hurting children know they are not forgotten.
In 2012, Operation Christmas Child reached a significant milestone— delivering the 100 millionth gift-filled shoebox since the project began in Wrexham, in 1990.
Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts are collected in the UK, United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Finland, Germany, New Zealand and Spain.
About Samaritan’s Purse
Samaritan's Purse (UK) is an international relief and development organisation that works in 18 countries across Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia.