Remember the shoebox appeal when you were younger? Packing up small gifts and essentials for someone who really needed it? I really wanted to get involved in a campaign like this in the run up to Christmas so I searched online to find a local charity. And I found a fantastic Christmas gift campaign…
I wasn’t able to find a local drop-off point for the shoebox appeal (although it looks like it is still running all around the country) but what I did find was another charity that I could get involved with. The Benjamin Foundation is running a Christmas Gift campaign where you can donate an unwrapped gift (or many gifts) to a range of children, young people, families and Young Carer Groups that they support.
The foundation provides one-to-one support and guidance services for children aged 5-18 years and it’s these children who will benefit from the gifts donated this Christmas. The Benjamin Foundation also provides accommodation centres for young people at risk of being homeless, aged 16 – 25 years so a gift for someone in this age group would be much appreciated too.
I’ve been collecting gifts over the past few months, ready to drop off by the 23rd November 2018 (which gives the foundation time to organise and wrap the gifts) and there’s an easy online form to fill in to let them know that you’re planning to donate a gift. The foundation is based in Norwich and has collection points all over Norfolk and Suffolk. The gifts are distributed to children and families in the region too, so you can be sure that your present is making a difference to a local child or young person.
We took the gifts to the headquarters on Thursday but, before we handed them over, we headed into Norwich to buy a few more. My husband and I had the most fun Christmas shopping that day and I loved picking out gifts for all the age groups. We picked up rolls of wrapping paper and some chocolate coins too and drove to the foundation to hand over the gifts.
I wanted to share this campaign with you today because it’s such a fun way to get involved with a charity this Christmas and I can guarantee you’ll feel super festive and happy doing it! Plus, the 23rd November cut-off date means you’ve still got a couple of weeks to donate a gift to The Benjamin Foundation if you want to. Every single gift is appreciated a just one present will make a big difference to a young person this Christmas.
If you’re not local to Norfolk or Suffolk, I’m sure there will be a similar charity near to you – and if you find one, please share the details in the comments below so that other people can check it out too. Sorry about the image quality, hubby snapped this pic before we unloaded the car at The Benjamin Foundation and I didn’t expect to be sharing it online! Merry Christmas 🙂
