Volunteers from Ewenny and shoeboxes from Barry were the most recent contributions to Operation Christmas Child at the time of Alun Cairns’ visit to their Pontyclun warehouse last week.
The Vale MP visited the volunteers at work in the industrial unit, kindly provided to Operation Christmas Child by Edwards Coaches, to see the hard work being done to bring Chritsmas cheer to the poorer regions of the globe.
The Operation encourages people in the UK to fill wrapped shoeboxes with toys, games and useful items and then sends them to children in impoverished parts of Eastern Europe and Africa.
Organisers informed the MP that there had been more shoebox donations from the Vale and across South Wales than in previous years, and gave him the opportunity to talk to local volunteers about their work.
In the warehouse, volunteers are tasked with checking the shoeboxes to remove inappropriate and perishable items before stacking them ready for distribution.
This year, 35,000 shoe boxes are being distributed by the OCC from Pontyclun, with 26,000 from South Wales and 9,000 from Southampton. They are heading to Zambia, Belarus, Romania and Albania.
Vale MP Alun Cairns said, “The work done by the volunteers here is truly impressive. They are managing a huge logistical operation from the goodness of their hearts, motivated only by a desire to spread Christmas cheer to poor children around the world.
“None of this would be possible without the thousands of donations of items lovingly chosen, packed in shoeboxes and wrapped by generous people here. I know of many church, school and community groups that have been involved in creating these wonderful shoebox gifts and appreciate the decency and kindness that has gone into every one.
“If you weren’t aware of this appeal, please get in touch with your local church to see if they will be collecting boxes for next year.”