A receptionist at a leading Shrewsbury company, who began supporting Operation Christmas Child 17 years ago, is appealing for donations of “love on a box” to beat a record set three years ago.
An act of kindness
Jean Courtney, the friendly voice of caravan dealership Salop Leisure in Shrewsbury for 41 years, has already received more than 200 shoeboxes packed with Christmas gifts for children living in extreme poverty. She needs another 161 more by November 22 to surpass her record of 360 boxes.
The shoeboxes will ensure that disadvantaged children in war-torn countries across the world receive their “love in a box” in time for Christmas.
Pictured above: Jean Courtney with some of the Christmas boxes she received this week.
Incredible show of support
One local supporter has knitted 20 sets of children’s hats and gloves. Jean, who has been touched by the generosity of donors this year, receives shoeboxes in Christmas wrappings from customers, staff, friends, family members, caravan park owners, schools, churches, women’s clubs and many individuals.
“Every year, the response is unbelievable each shoebox is packed with beautiful gifts and a lot of love,” said Jean. “The people of Shropshire and Mid Wales are so generous and have very big hearts. My heartfelt thanks go out to each one of them because I think they have been more generous than usual this year in what they have put in the shoeboxes.
“I am a family oriented person and love children. I get so much out of collecting these boxes for disadvantaged children. Hopefully, we help to put a smile on children’s faces and I always think of them on Christmas morning.”
Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child, which is run by Christian relief and development organisation Samaritan’s Purse, aims to show that children in need have not been forgotten during the festive season.
The shoeboxes are packed with a variety of items, including a teddy bear, knitted items, a doll, a toothbrush, soap, pencil, crayons and paper.
