General News
1 July, 2025
Christmas appeal returns
As the Central Goldfields turns into a winter wonderland, this is the perfect time to commence this year’s Operation Christmas Child (OCC) shoe box appeal.
Returning locally this July, volunteers Cheryl Howlett and Cheryl Walker said the project will come back this year, and are asking donors to include personal care items, school supplies, clothing, crafts and toys to be gifted to boys and girls aged between two to 14.
The pair are looking forward to this year’s launch.
“This year we are excited to have Karen Donaldson our state manager come up from Melbourne as our guest speaker, and Lynne Beavis, also from Melbourne who has done lots of shoebox distributions in several countries,” Ms Walker said.
OCC is a project by Samaritans Purse, an international relief organisation.
This shoebox project is a hands on way to help children in need across the world by filling a shoebox with toys, hygiene items, school supplies and gifts.
Last year, volunteers from Australia and New Zealand sent 211,502 shoeboxes to Cambodia, the Philippines, Fiji, Solomon Islands and Ukraine.
Since 1993 more than 232 million children in more than 100 countries and territories have received a shoebox.
The pair are welcoming anyone new who wishes to know more about the shoeboxes to this year’s launch.
“It’s a project that allows children to know that somebody they don’t even know, from another country, has prepared the box especially for them. It puts a smile on their faces,” Ms Howlett said.
She currently has handmade beanies, pencil cases and bags to share if locals wish to use these items for their box, many of which have been hand knitted and sewn.
“There are patterns for knitters and people that sew to take home. Preprinted shoeboxes will be available on the day for $1 and shoeboxes already decorated and ready to go,” Ms Howlett said.
Hartwell Shoes in High Street are also able to provide a box, which has to be about A4 size.
With the appeal commencing mid July this year, the boxes will be due in the collection period running from October 13 to 27, ensuring they will be sent away in time for Christmas.
Food, liquids, breakable and dangerous items are not allowed to be donated.
OCC will have it’s shoebox launch on Saturday, July 19 at the Maryborough Church of Christ Hall at 2 pm.
For more information, contact Cheryl Howlett on 0419 533 370 or Cheryl Walker on 0427 991 698 by July 12.