Love wrapped in a box
THE children’s reactions make the effort worthwhile for Johanna Haasjes.
Each Christmas, boys and girls in the Asia-Pacific region receive shoeboxes packed with gifts from kids in South Gippsland.
And with those boxes comes a photo of the South Gippsland youngsters, signed by each child.
“It is that photo that they most treasurer,” Ms Haaasjes said, as she recalled watching a video of children overseas opening their gifts.
The Leongatha woman is one of many locals working with schools at Tarwin Lower, Meeniyan and Leongatha to fill boxes with Christmas gifts for less fortunate boys and girls overseas.
Families in South Gippsland are donating goods that fit into a shoe box: something to wear, love and play with; something for school, something special and something for personal hygiene.
Clothes, teddy bears, pencil cases, craft kits, and toothbrushes are among the items brightening the lives of boys and girls in lands afar.
Local children have created many items themselves: marble bags, treasure pouches, toilet bags, pencil cases, a balloon ball and notebooks with decorated covers.
Some boxes will include distinctively Australian gifts, such as clip-on koalas and kangaroos.
The project – Operation Christmas Card – is an initiative of Samaritan’s Purse.
Tarwin Lower and Tarwin Valley primary schools, and Chairo Christian School in Leongatha are taking part. Students enjoyed a DVD depicting recipients of boxes in The Philippines.
“The DVD really shows them how the faces of the kids light up over something so simple as a balloon ball,” Tarwin Lower principal Sharyne Munday said.
The project fits in well with the school’s community service philosophy.
Churches and groups across the region are also taking part.
Information brochures with collection details are available at New Beginnings Bookshop Leongatha, by phoning Doreen Western on 5659 8286 or online at operationchristmaschild.org.au
Thinking of others: Tarwin Lower Primary School students, front, from left, Luci, Patrick and Ryan with Johanna Haasjes, and shoeboxes packed with gifts for children in the Asia-Pacific region. Back, from left, Riley, Oliver, Tess, Indy and Lexi.
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