The Visionary Accountants team based in St Albans are each filling a shoe box for charity this year, as part of Operation Christmas Child initiative. Since Samaritan’s Purse started the shoe box appeal in 1993 they have sent over 157 million shoe box gifts to children across the world, who otherwise may not have received Christmas presents.
Samaritan’s Purse is an international relief and development organisation working through local churches with communities in Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. As well as providing gifts for children at Christmas, Samaritan’s Purse work on water and sanitation projects, help with sustainable livelihoods, and offer support with disasters and emergencies.
According to the Samaritan’s Purse website: ‘A small shoebox can have a big impact. What goes into the box is fun, but what comes out of it is eternal. See the impact a simple shoebox gift packed and sent with love, has on a child and how it reaches into a community.’
Wendy Li, Accounts Assistant, St Albans, Hertfordshire said:
‘The Visionary team has always tried to do a charity fundraiser at Christmas time. In previous years we have worn Christmas jumpers to the office and fundraised for Save the Children. This year we heard about the shoe box appeal and everyone at Visionary has agreed to fill a box. However, we have bought 20 boxes and there are only 7 of us! So we would be delighted if any of our clients would like to take a box to fill. Ideas for gifts include stuffed animals, deflated footballs, football pumps, toy cars, baby dolls or small musical instruments and a small cash donation of say £5. So if you are in St Albans or visiting our offices before Christmas please feel free to collect a box. The deadline for delivering the boxes is 18th November’