Volunteers chip in to pack boxes of joy (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Volunteers chip in to pack boxes of joy

7:50pm Saturday 26th November 2011 in News

CHRISTMAS came early at Pewsey on Saturday as people of all ages gave up a few hours to join in the fun of packing shoeboxes at the 11th annual Operation Christmas Child gift wrap morning held in the Methodist Church.

People from Marlbor-ough and Pewsey took part in the huge operation of putting a variety of gifts in shoe boxes and then wrapping them to be sent to needy children in Eastern Europe and Africa.

The Methodist church and hall was a hive of activity all morning with a queue of people at one point waiting to pick up their next empty box ready to fill them with goodies from the various zones.

A team of helpers led by Andrew Whitney assisted people in selecting hats and gloves, toiletries for the appropriate age group or helping to find toys for smaller children’s boxes.

Church spokesman Stephen Longson said: “Thanks to everyone who so kindly donated items to fill the boxes because without such generosity and thought the event would not be possible.

Once the boxes had been filled more helpers, led by Arthur Johnson, took the boxes to a backroom team led by Jackie Lampard who carefully quality checked each box.

Mrs Lampard’s team worked long into the afternoon until all of the 703 boxes where checked ready for dispatch for their journey to children that are in most need.

This year boxes from the UK are being sent to countries including Bosnia, Kosova, Serbia and Kenya.

Mr Longson said: “The event has really grown over the past years and it touches so many people in our communities who so thoughtfully support the event.

“In the weeks prior to the event a team of people gave up two Thursday mornings to wrap empty boxes or have taken boxes home to wrap.

“A team of helpers have worked so hard over the past week to prepare for the big day.

“This occasion is an opportunity for people to come together corporately and get involved and actually see the end product that will in some cases travel thousands of miles to touch the life of a child in need.”