Shortly we launch our Operation Christmas Child service and ministry project at SCAS for 2018. In Primary School Chapel the students will hear how the items specially chosen and packed in these boxes make such a profound difference to children living in overseas countries whose situation is so far removed from the fortunate lives of our SCAS community.
Do we truly comprehend the huge impact that a simple shoebox containing a range of beautiful, basic but essential items means when it is received by a child in a village somewhere far away? The first step is to distribute the boxes to our families and as SCAS has been supporting OCC for fourteen years. A brochure is inside each box outlining the 6 essential items (one from each of the important subgroups) that are to be packed.
It is June and we are talking about Christmas already, I can hear you say! However, because of the logistics of getting as many boxes to our families, then the shopping for the items (remember the Reject Shops and other bargain venues), the return of boxes, checking of contents for suitability (these are a number of things listed in the brochure that are unable to be accepted due to hygiene or customs regulations), transport to the central Port Macquarie agency, packing boxes into tea chests, forwarding them to Sydney, final processing, and transport to their overseas destinations – we need to start this month.
Please involve your children when shopping so they can be part of the joy of selecting the appropriate items. Do let your children know of the great happiness their simple gifts will bring children hundreds of kilometres away from Australia. You can even track your box to its final destination.
In this world, we are all connected by our humanity, and Operation Christmas Child is a most magnificent service and ministry project for the students of SCAS.
I am very proud that I have been associated with OCC for 14 years now. It is a project dear to my own heart having lived decades ago in remote areas of the Papua New Guinea highlands and understanding how today, village children in those very same areas, lack the bare necessities of life.
So, please join in bringing JOY by packing your LOVE in a SHOEBOX.
Please visit your Parent Lounge to accept and pay for postage by Thursday 14th June 2018 if you would like your child to participate.
Bron Vickers
OCC Co-ordinator.