Christmas love in a shoe box

By Bridget Brady
A SHOE box filled with gifts could brighten Christmas for children living amid poverty or disaster.
And Cranbourne’s Turning Point Family Church is encouraging residents to take part in the simple act of generosity by 16 October.
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse that the church and Lighthouse Christian College have taken part in for five years. It was launched at the school last week.
It involves filling a shoe box with five things: something to love, something for school, something to wear, something to play with, something for personal hygiene and something special.
The shoe boxes are delivered to children living amid poverty, war, famine or natural disaster including places such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. Last year, almost 300 shoe boxes were collected in the Casey area.
Pastor Norma Cayzer said she encouraged families to take part in Operation Christmas Child.
“I think that we have so much in this country,” Pastor Cayzer said.
“The students saw a picture of boxes being handed out and saw children with nothing, really. I think it’s great for them to learn about how blessed we are and how to give to others in a simple way.”
People can purchase a shoe box for 50 cents at the church or school office and get a gender and age for the recipient or fill their own shoe box so long as it is not bigger than A4 size.
People are encouraged to wrap their boxes and are welcome to include a letter and photo to the child if they wish. A cost of $8 is required for postage and handling.
Boxes need to be dropped off at the church and school office by 16 October. Turning Point Family Church is located at 1785 South Gippsland Highway in Cranbourne.
For more information call 0413 114 711.