Coffee morning to raise funds for church’s Christmas Shoebox appeal

A coffee morning to raise funds for Christmas parcels for families in South East Europe will be held at Warminster United Church.

The event will run on Saturday 8th November, from 10am to 12pm, with proceeds going towards transporting the Christmas shoeboxes to the ‘House of Opportunity’ in Salisbury before they are sent to children in need across Europe.

Every year, Warminster United Church takes part in the Christmas shoebox appeal, packing over 100 boxes with items for people in need.

Joan, a member of the church, said, “The unusual name of House of Opportunity comes from one of their main projects, which is to provide homes for children leaving state care in Eastern Europe.

“Many such children leave care with nowhere to go and very few life skills, easily falling prey to traffickers and exploitation. The homes they provide are truly ‘Houses of Opportunity,’ where young people can further their education, learn skills and find work.

“The Christmas shoeboxes go to children and adults in all kinds of circumstances, including abandoned children living in state care, poor rural schools and kindergartens, women’s refuges, prisoners’ children, isolated or lonely elderly folk, refugees and Roma children living in difficult conditions.”

The same weekend, the team will begin sorting all donated items, ready for packing the boxes on Monday 10th November.

The coffee morning will be held at the church on George Street.