Bedfordshire opens drop off sites for Christmas shoebox project

Shoeboxes can now be dropped off at a number of sites in Bedfordshire for Operation Christmas Child's shoebox project.

The sites are ready to receive Christmas shoebox gifts lovingly packed up by residents, to send to vulnerable children in different contexts of poverty across the world.

For many children who will receive them, these shoebox gifts are the first gift they have ever received.

Nick Cole, director of Operation Christmas Child UK said: “Having moved our collection week to coincide with the ending of the national lockdown, has meant that we can ensure as many children as possible will be gifted a big smile and feel and know that they’re loved and special.

"We rely so much on our local partners, who help us collect the many boxes that have been packed; I am so grateful to them and to those in the local community who come together to have such a heartwarming global impact on children this time of the year.”

Residents are still able to pack a shoebox, through Operation Christmas Child’s digital offering Shoebox Online.

This facility allows residents to pack a tailored and personalised shoebox, with specially selected gifts - as well as offering them the chance to write a personal message to the recipient.

Volunteers then pack up every box donated, with the gift selection made online, and these are sent onto children living in some of the toughest circumstances across the world.

Mr Cole added: “While the pandemic endures, we must continue to remember the most vulnerable in society, whether they are in our local area or in tough circumstances far from here.

"My hope is that children across the world will find joy this Christmas through the small offering of a Christmas Shoebox.

"Whether packed up physically or through Shoebox Online, these small gifts are a tangible act of kindness, and can help contribute to the mental well-being of children in the most vulnerable communities.

"Thank you to everyone who is dropping off a shoebox this week, and to all our collection partners.”

Individuals can refer to an online drop-off location finder, in order to find the most convenient location and their opening times.

There are locations in Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable, Luton, Olney, Letchworth and St Neots:

- The Way Coffee House, West Street, Dunstable

- Cinch Storage, Grovebury Road, Leighton Buzzard

- Connells, Market Square, Leighton Buzzard

- Sutcliff Baptist Church, Olney

- Luton Christian Book Centre, Kestin House, Luton

- Life International Christian Fellowship, St Leger Court, Milton Keynes

- The Secure Store/Halyard House, Works Road, Letchworth

- Letchworth Garden City Church, The Icknield Centre, Letchworth Garden City

- Brittains Furnishers Ltd, High Street, St Neots

All drop-off locations will comply with the current government social distancing guidelines, and some collection points have been made contact free.

For more about packing a Christmas shoebox online visit: shoeboxonline.org.uk.