Students of the International School of the Algarve in Lagoa and International School São Lourenço in Almancil have participated in the Operation Christmas Child project organised by registered charity Samaritan’s Purse.
Since its foundation in 1993, the charity has sent more than 40 million shoeboxes filled with Christmas presents to children who live in appalling conditions around the world and who may have never received a festive gift before.
Shoeboxes were wrapped in brightly coloured paper by students, and then filled with a small selection of gifts, including items such as pens and pencils, gloves, hats, puzzles, toothbrushes and toothpaste, notebooks and small toys.
With the need to transport the shoeboxes to worldwide destinations, students had to submit their gifts by the end of October to ensure that children in need receive them by Christmas time.
 Students of International School São Lorenço holding their shoebox gifts. |
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A new record was set this year by the International School of the Algarve, where students donated 196 filled shoeboxes.
Head teacher John Butterworth thanked the students and Shoeworld of Lagoa, who donated and delivered a large number of empty shoeboxes to the school.
International School São Lourenço donated 92 boxes. Acting head teacher Beverley Stevens thanked all of the students and their parents for giving so generously, and said: “A simple gift can mean so much.”
For more information about Operation Christmas Child, please see www.samaritanspurse.org
