Instead of using Operation Christmas child and Samaritans purse we are going to use an alternative to support a family I know who do something very similar. It is called Sweeps. The info is the same. Below are a list of gift ideas and gift no-no’s!
Gift Ideas for the sweeps shoe boxes. Please bring all you can on Sunday
or drop it round to my house!
These are just some ideas! Go mad!
TOYS
small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos,
jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch®, toys that light up or make noise
(with extra batteries), Slinky®, etc.
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets,
writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
HYGIENE ITEMS
toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
OTHER
Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts,
socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights
(with extra batteries)
A PERSONAL NOTE
In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of
yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child
may write back.)
Do Not Include:
Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military
figures; chocolate or food; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins;
breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers; aerosol cans
November 9th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Interesting idea.
It sounds very commendable, but what is ‘Sweeps’? Who are they? What do they do? Where are they doing it? What makes it different to Operation Christmas Child?
November 9th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Sweeps is very similar to Samaritans purse (Operation Christmas Child). It functions on a smaller scale, only sending boxes to Romania, as it is a family run charity.
Having looked in to Smaritans purse and their methods it was suggested to me that we found an alternative, and since I know the family who run sweeps I contacted them and they are very excited to have our involvement.
If you have any more questions please write again or call me.
November 16th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Just to keep you all up to date with the charity Christmas boxes.
The two youth groups spent 1 1/2 hours packing and wrapping boxes last night (Thurs 15th) and on Monday 18 boxes will be making their way to Bridgwater where they will be packed onto a lorry on Dec 6th and driven to Romania where they will be distributed.
The groups worked really hard and exceeded expectations!
If you have anything you didn’t get in before yesterday but still want to give please bring it along on Sunday or drop it round to my house. All contributions welcome!
Also, we need one extra box, so if you have a spare box please bring that too!! Thanks to everyone who gave and was involved. It was a great night, and the boxes will bring so much joy and hope at Christmas!! Thank you!