A MILLICENT store as well as two local organisations are combining to ensure the spirit of Christmas is shared with children in need in overseas countries.
Absolutely Anything together with the Millicent Community Church and the Millicent Men’s Shed are backing the Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts.
Staged around the globe by the non-denominational Christian relief group Samaritan’s Purse, countless thousands of shoeboxes containing essential requisites and toys are given away each year.
The Millicent Community Church and its Mainly Music group donated 50 shoeboxes in 2017 and they are hoping for a similar number this year.
Absolutely Anything proprietor Geoff Smith is applying a 10pc discount for all items purchased for the shoeboxes.
A member of the Millicent Men’s Shed made a display stand in the form of a Christmas tree for the shoeboxes and the group received a donation and certificate of appreciation in return.
Pastor Adriano Petraccaro said his church approached the Men’s Shed and was grateful for its support.
“We knew they could do it,” Pastor Adriano said.
“Storage is a problem at our church and the Christmas tree display stand can be dismantled and packed away.
“It will remain there until September 16 and then the displayed shoeboxes will be sent on.”
Millicent Men’s Shed president Chris Mathias said his group was pleased to be involved in the community initiative.
“We have also just made some outdoor seat and table settings for Millicent North Primary School, as well as wooden toys for the Millicent Combined Churches Christmas Appeal,” Mr Mathias said.
“The donation will be used for general purposes as the Men’s Shed is about men’s welfare.”
Other Millicent churches also participate in the Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts.
Samaritan’s Purse president Franklin Graham said 157 million children worldwide had received shoebox gifts and the Gospel message since 1993.
“We work in more than 100 countries around the world, responding to disasters, supporting missionary hospitals, supplying good education for children, facilitating safe births for mothers, helping people to feed themselves by teaching parents to grow nutritious food, providing safe drinking water for whole communities and helping in Jesus’ name wherever God leads us,” Mr Graham said.
