Thank you for your interest in the Christmas Box Appeal. Whether you are simply thinking about joining in, or your church, 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 with us at rich.parsons@fscinet.org or 01722 580192.
Can my organisation join in with the appeal?
We would love to have your support, but 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 do get in touch and we’ll see how we can get you involved.
There are two different ways that organisations can take part in the appeal, so take a look at the options below and decide which you think will be best for yours. If your organisation is not already on our e-mail list you can use this online response form to register for this years appeal. Thank you.
OPTION 1:
Individuals make boxes at home.
This is the standard way of making boxes. The process usually looks something like:
- After initial approach to/from FSCI your org agrees to support campaign.
- 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 FSCI (typically mid-November) or
- FSCI may be able to collect your boxes.
- FSCI sort & pack boxes ready 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 FSCI 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 £3 per box that we ask for shipping for their employees, or may match donations. Worth an ask!
- Items are brought into church/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 FSCI. (see Resources, below).
- Boxes are bought in by a deadline date fixed by participating org and FSCI (typically mid-November) or
- FSCI may be able to collect your boxes.
- FSCI sort & pack boxes ready 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 rich.parsons@fscinet.org or 01722 580192.
Further ways your organisation can get involved
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 rich.parsons@fscinet.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.
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: rich.parsons@fscinet.org or on 01722 580192.
