Operation Christmas Child (OCC)
Every year, the four churches in Swanwick and Pentrich and sometimes local primary schools join together to take part in Operation Christmas Child. Many other local organisations also join us. OCC is part of Samaritan's Purse, a global Christian initiative.
We pack shoeboxes with toys and other gifts to send to children in many parts of Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Last year the UK sent 511,200 boxes to Albania, Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Central Asia, Estonia, Liberia, Middle East, Moldova, Romania and Ukraine. World-wide, more than 10.6 million boxes were sent.
We launch the project in September every year, and boxes are brought to the Methodist Church in November to a celebration fun evening where we also hear some of the children's stories. The boxes can be brought to any of the churches or the Salt Pot cafe if you can't make it to this celebration.
If you would like to pack a box or boxes this year, please contact Pauline Johnson through this website or speak to members of the churches for leaflets and pre-printed boxes at 50p each. It is a simple way to give happiness to children living in extremely challenging circumstances and is much appreciated.
For more guidance on packing a shoe box download the guide: - OCC guide how to pack your shoebox
