A day of visitors

Well apart from lots more boxes, (we have now received more than 5000 boxes into the warehouse), and lots of volunteers, (we have had more than 60 each day, both today and yesterday), we had various visitors. 

The Mayor of Guildford and Maureen with a car full of boxes 

Firstly The Mayor of Guildford,  Jennifer Jordan, and her team,  arrived with 70 boxes from the Mayor's office. 

The Mayor came as we were having a well earned coffee break, so she was able to join us for a hot drink and thank all the volunteers for their participation, not only in the warehouse, but all the background work in making everything work behind the scenes and the months leading up to the final operation. 

The Mayor speaks to some volunteers

Thank you to Jenny for coming and visiting us, but for also acknowledging all the work others in the community do and helping with the practical work of checking a shoebox. 

Jenny really enjoyed some of the crafts that had been made by our volunteers. The picture below shows an example of some little bags made by Sue to house a little furry friend.

On a personal note we did notice how much Jenny was enjoying her visit and getting involved. She spent a good deal of time working together on a table with our volunteers in checking boxes and ensuring that it was a fair box. 

Next year we are guaranteed of a new recruit....

The next set of visitors were Liz and Pauline from Send Evangelical Church. Liz, inspired by the talk from Simon Corlett at the Launch Event, returned to her church, which has been involved in Operation Christmas Child for some time, and made up a display to place at the entrance to the church so it could be seen prominently. She also did presentations on the work of Operation Christmas Child to the various groups that meet at the church, encouraging and motivating them to take part in the shoebox appeal. As a result she arrived bearing over 60 boxes, well done.

Before they left Liz and Pauline took photographs of some of the filler ideas, which they were extremely impressed with, with the aim of encouraging more people to help for next year......

The display Liz put together at Send Evangelical Church

Also we had Cranleigh School visit. They came in a minibus bursting full of enthusiastic pupils and shoeboxes. So many shoeboxes there was hardly room for the girls. But time to pose of course. 

Amy, one of the pupils was our chief counter.... who in turn reported the amount to Gerard our OCC number cruncher and packer. Great job Amy  over 30 more shoeboxes than last year. 
















Shoe boxes unloaded, what to do next?

 We were asked a question by Cranleigh School .. "Can we have a look around?"  (Previously they, had just come round and dropped the boxes off) "Of course" was the answer, naturally we had put the time aside to give them a tour of the warehouse and explain what happens next, also an opportunity to participate in the volunteers work. It is fair to say they loved it.

Question: How excited were they? mmmmm 

Answer: As excited as The Mayor, but as teenagers more hyper.

So very excited and inspired, all parties. 

We have decided there needs to be a  WARNING TO EACH PERSON WHO STEPS INSIDE AN OCC WAREHOUSE. 

Doing shoeboxes is addictive...be warned  you will get hooked it IS contagious.

It is fun too of course.

But what of Ted? He's been very quiet. He is still puzzled ...... we must be nearly there 

Oh yes! one of Michael's Jigsaw puzzles 

 Now packed in a box, all our visitors today loved these puzzles

And guess who this is....?

You are only getting three clues

      1      You  know her 

   2.      You will have spoken to her

   3.      She (apparently) has a small head (as demonstrated)

 

If you don’t recognise her, just look closer at the smile, its unique…

OK last clue here she is in her Christmas Party dress