A Gift of Love in a Shoebox is
“a morale boost in a box”
Soldiers from the Royal Monmouthshire Regiment who spent Christmas in Iraq recieved Christmas presents from the congregation at St Woolos Cathedral. The individual gifts, were warmly received - as some of the thank you notes show:
“Hello. I am a soldier training in Iraq. I have just received a gift box from you and I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart. It’s good to know that we are not forgotten at this time of year.”
“To all at St Woolos Cathedral. Just a short note to thank you for your kind Christmas parcel. Whilst we are fed and looked after well here in Basra, little luxuries and reminders of home are very much appreciated. Your generous gift will make our Christmas away from our families and loved ones a little easier.
Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda!”
Pat Charles from Llanrumney writes: This is the third Christmas that St. Dyfrig’s Parish Church, Llanrumney, has been involved with “Operation Christmas Child”. We started tentatively in 2005 and amassed 75 boxes which was a great delight to us all. Last year this number rose to 115 and we were even more pleased with our efforts. So can you imagine our delight when this year we have reached the grand total of 170 boxes? It is amazing.
This small token of love and support for those children who have nothing has given us a sense of joy and fun. All year round we keep our eyes open for small, inexpensive gifts that we can put in our boxes. Bargains are sought and stored away until November when the most difficult job begins – that of wrapping the boxes in Christmas paper. Then the boxes are filled, a service of thanksgiving offered and the boxes sent on their way.
We hope to continue to support this very worthwhile cause for many years to come and are very thankful for the gifts of boxes from Church members of St. Dyfrigs and St. Mellons parishes and their friends and families.