Thank you for your interest in the Christmas Box Appeal. Whether you are simply thinking about joining in, or your business or community group has committed to supporting the appeal, hopefully you will find all the information you need to make a decision or get started here.
If you have any questions, please do get in touch via christmas@houseofopportunity.org or on 01722 580192.
Can my company or group join in?
We would love to have your support! Our logistics coverage is mainly limited to Southern England, South & West London, the West Midlands and South Wales. If you are northeast of the M40, west of the M5 or east of the M/A23 please get in touch and we’ll see how we can get you involved.
There are two different ways your business or community group can take part in the appeal, so take a look at the options below and decide which you’d prefer. You can then use the sign-up form to register for this year’s appeal. Thank you!
Sign-up for Christmas Box Appeal
Deadline for all boxes to get to us in Salisbury this year is Friday 22nd November, but we can make specific arrangements to collect from your organisation during the two weeks before this date.
OPTION 1:
Individuals make boxes at home.
This is the standard way of making boxes. The process usually looks something like:
- Your org confirms its support for this year’s Christmas box appeal.
- Individuals or families take home a leaflet each, containing instructions on how to make a box and make a donation for its shipping, along with ideas and suggestions of what to put in the box. Leaflets can be downloaded and printed, or e-mailed. Alternatively, you can order full-size leaflets from us.
- Boxes are bought in by a deadline date fixed by participating org and House of Opportunity (typically mid-November) or
- House of Opportunity may be able to collect your boxes.
- Boxes are checked & packed for shipping and…
- Distributions normally take place in SE Europe in December.
Download Leaflet Category & Contents Labels Download Poster Sample full-size CB leaflet
OPTION 2:
Collective approach.
This way offers the chance for people in your organisation to collaborate in making up and donating Christmas boxes.
- After initial approach to/from House of Opportunity your org agrees to support campaign.
- Individuals take home lists of items to purchase for boxes and can then buy and donate items in bulk, such as:
Sweets
Small toys
Balls
Jigsaws
Small “Loom” kits
Combs & hair accessories
Pens/pencils/cases
Colouring books
Sticker books
Toothpaste/brushes
Soap/facecloths
Gloves/Hats/Scarves
In addition, empty shoeboxes will need to be sourced (max size 395mm long x 240mm wide x 118mm deep). Buying items in bulk will be cheaper and less time intensive.
Some companies choose to pay the £4 per box that we ask for shipping for their employees, or may match donations. Worth an ask!
- Items are brought into work/group and a time set for participants to “make up” the boxes from the donated items. This can take the form of time slots being set for departments to come in during a designated day for a “making session”, following process and guidance supplied by us. (see Resources, below).
Things to consider when preparing boxes:
Variety Add in warm things to wear, practical items, tasty treats, fun items (content suggestions).
Condition New or nearly new in good, working order
Quality Ask yourself, “would I be happy to receive this box..?” All boxes are opened and checked, and unsuitable contents are removed.
Category: We always need more boxes for older boys and men! - Boxes are bought in by a deadline date fixed by participating org and House of Opportunity (typically mid-November) or
- We may be able to collect your boxes.
- Boxes are checked & packed for shipping and…
- Distributions normally take place in SE Europe in December.
A number of organisations are now adopting this second approach and have found it to be a great way of working together to deliver a really good result – usually at a decent saving!
Resources
Downloadable templates and materials to support OPTION 2.
Participated before?
Download 1: A combined note and list (A5) for participants that you can edit and print to suit.
Change dates and add other information to suit your timetable.
The template varies the list of items a little, so try and give out equal numbers of each list. Hopefully this will help to get an even spread of suitable items.
You can always copy and paste if you want to save paper and send out via e-mail.
Note & list
Download 2: Cover letter to go with the list above.
Cover letter
New to our Christmas Box Appeal?
Download 1: A combined note and list (A5) for participants that you can edit and print to suit.
Change dates and add other information to suit your timetable.
The template varies the list of items a little, so try and give out equal numbers of each list. Hopefully this will help to get an even spread of suitable items.
You can always copy and paste if you want to save paper and send out via e-mail.
Note & list
Download 2: Cover letter to go with the list above.
Cover letter
If you would like to join in with the appeal this year, please do get in touch at christmas@houseofopportunity.org or 01722 580192.
Further ways your business or group can get involved
Sponsor the Christmas Box Appeal
The costs of collecting, preparing, shipping and distributing the boxes soon mount up. Any assistance with these costs will help us to forward plan and release more donor’s money toward our long-term projects. If your business would like to support this year’s appeal, either financially or in kind, please do get in touch with us: christmas@houseofopportunity.org or on 01722 580192.
Bring a group to help sort & pack Christmas boxes in Salisbury this coming November
We rely on our fabulous donors and volunteers to make this project a success. Would a group from your organisation like to help us sort the thousands of Christmas boxes we are hoping to receive this year? Get in touch at volunteering@houseofopportunity.org to find out more.
Information about this year’s Christmas box depot, including location and opening times, can be found here.
Some of our volunteers took the time to tell us what they like about helping to sort & pack the Christmas boxes.