Your generosity touches hearts.
by Jenny Legg (author email newsdesk@basingstokegazette.co.uk)

UK Newsquest Regional Press – This is Hampshire
December 22, 2004

BASINGSTOKE — HUNDREDS of needy children in eastern Europe are
celebrating an extra special Christmas – thanks to the kindness of
readers of The Basingstoke Extra.

Last month, the Gazette Newspapers offices were filled with more
than 600 brightly-decorated shoeboxes, stuffed full of presents,
from generous readers.

The boxes were donated for The Basingstoke Extra-backed Operation
Christmas Child appeal, run by charity Samaritan’s Purse.

The shoeboxes, which contained simple items such as sweets, toys
and crayons, have now been delivered to children in Serbia, Croatia
and Armenia.

A final delivery to Russia is set to take place this week as part
of the international appeal to provide more than one million of the
world’s poorest children with a Christmas present this year.

Roger Fenton, the regional manager for Samaritan’s Purse, said:
“I have distributed the presents in previous years, and the typical
reaction from a child is one of complete wonder.

“Many of them don’t usually get a gift in any form, so to have
a stranger give them a present with no strings attached is really
moving for them.

“It’s like a message of love from a different place, and they don’t
have to do anything to receive it.”

He added: “People are really generous. You can never thank them enough.

“They don’t appreciate what a huge difference it makes when they pay
a few pounds to give things like a toothbrush or hat.”

Mr Fenton said volunteers at the charity’s regional warehouse in
Eastleigh had handled about 55,000 boxes this year, and that nationally
the charity had broken the million mark.

“It looks like there are more than last year. The indications are
that there was a much greater response,” said Mr Fenton.

“I think that’s because we have become more well known, and people
find this a nice way to give. When you give a present, it’s more
personal. People like to give in that way, rather than just donating
money.”

Since 1990, Operation Christmas Child has delivered shoeboxes to
more than 23 million children in eastern Europe, in countries such
as Bosnia, Romania and Serbia.