26 May 2023

Dear Parent/Carer

Christmas Shoebox Appeal (Deadline: Friday 18th November 2019)

Over the next two months, Holcombe Grammar School is once again joining with thousands of other schools up and down the country in supporting Operation Christmas Child run by the charity Samaritan’s Purse.

For the fifth year, we will be wrapping, packing and sending shoeboxes full of gifts for impoverished communities around the world. We are looking for your help to donate gifts suitable for boys or girls aged between 2 and 14 years, and must have all boxes ready before Friday 18th November. Please can all donations be given to the Holcombe Office or the School Captains in their office in S block.

Please note that due to more stringent import regulations, toothpaste and sweets can no longer be included in shoeboxes.

Since we have been involved with this project, students and staff have donated more than 600 Christmas shoeboxes and we have been able to collect enough money to cover the shipping costs of each present. This year we are hoping to collect even more toys, books and toiletries for children as well as the boxes and wrapping paper needed. If you would like to give a cash donation, you may use Parent Pay to give the suggested amount of £5 per shoebox.

This year we are looking for a team of student helpers to get the boxes ready and then take a trip to bring the boxes to the West Kent warehouse, providing the opportunity to see the processing taking place and maybe taking part. Please contact Miss Martin if you are interested in being part of this project.

We are very grateful to those of you who helped make the last four campaigns a success and hope that you will want to get involved again in this year’s Operation Christmas Child contributions. Please help us reach needy children with shoebox gifts that bring love, hope and joy this Christmas.

For more information about Operation Christmas Child, or the organising charity Samaritan’s Purse, please visit: www.samaritans-purse.org.uk.

Thank you for your support

Miss R. Martin

Head of Year 7

Holcombe Grammar School will be a Drop-Off location for the wider community donations, open during National Collection Week 11th-18th November.