Sunday 5 December 2021

Pause In Advent #2

For thirty years, the Salvation Army in Norfolk has done an annual "Toys and Tins" Appeal. The aim is to provide food and gifts for families who might otherwise go without at Christmas. 

Our Church in Foulsham has long supported this - and now I am fully 'in residence' [not just turning up in holiday times] I have an opportunity to contribute too. I'd already got a shopping bag in the Futility Room and was adding bits and pieces - then last week Julian and I found a bag of brand new toys in Gill's bedroom - so these have been added [she was always buying the reduced goods in Wilko, to have on hand to give away to other people's children] 

I will see my darling granddaughters this weekend - they have a warm home, a loving family, and plenty of food and toys. I am so grateful to God for them. It would be easy to spoil them and overload them with gifts, but there are other children who can and should benefit too. I can show my gratitude by sharing the blessings. Rosie is already learning to sort out good toys and clothes she does not need, to pass on to the local babybank where her mum is a volunteer.

I listened to the news reports this weekend, and I cannot comprehend how someone could be so cruel to a 6 year old child, depriving them of food, toys and ultimately life. But I also know there are loving, caring parents, who through no fault of their own are really struggling in poverty this Christmas, and cannot provide for their children the special treats they would dearly love to give them. By myself, I cannot correct that situation - but we can all help to make things a little better.

In the busyness of my Family Christmas Preparations [somewhat delayed this year] I pray that I will see the opportunities to bless others, not just my own 'nearest and dearest'




18 comments:

  1. So much sad news at the moment, poor little Arthur. I can't get him out of my mind.

    We have a large pub right across the road from us at our new address that helps families in poverty all year round, with clothes, bedding and food parcels. At this time of year they really ramp things up, they ask families in need what they actually want and then put appeals out on our town Facebook page so that you can buy something you know will go to the right place. Knowing a child will get something off their Santa list is very special.

    They also have a free Christmas lunch that anyone who would be alone on Christmas Day can book a table for, with the idea that friendships can be formed.

    So many sad stories, but then so much love.

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    1. Those who give up Christmas Day to serve food to others are good people

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  2. Our local foodbank does a reverse Advent calendar where each day you are encouraged to place an item (food, toiletries, toys, chocolate etc)into a box and deliver it to the foodbank. I start mine in November so that I can deliver it in plenty of time for the volunteers to distribute to families in need.
    I am pleased that Gill's toy stash will be making this Christmas a bit brighter for those with very little.

    Thinking of you and Gill's family and hope that your faith (and hers) will help you through these difficult times.

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  3. I had to leave the room when the News was reorting that awfulness. As children we were always asked to give toys to our school collection at Christmas. Even now we try to give back even if it is just a Salvation Army donation.

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    1. I found the news reports distressing too

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  4. I felt physically sick when I saw the news report on poor little Arthur. It breaks my heart to hear how cruel a parent can be to a child. Thank God the monsters are locked up for life. They don't deserve a normal life.
    God bless you for all your kind donations. At the moment, being in a new area, we can only donate food in the supermarket collection. I'm hoping to do much more once I find my feet and volunteer to help a charity somehow.

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    1. I am pleased that the supermarkets have made it so easy for people to donate. It doesn't take much effort to pop an extra couple of cans in the trolley then drop them off as you leave

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  5. A friend told me that she heard somewhere that it was not a good idea to tell children that their expensive electronic toys came from Santa, but rather from Mum and Dad. The less expensive toys they received could then be designated from Santa, of course. That way, a child who only received very little from Santa would not feel that they were somehow not good enough for the "big" presents when they discussed.them at school. This Santa business can be very disturbing if not handled wisely.

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  6. It can (not to mention that Elf on the Shelf business)

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  7. Thank you for your thoughtful reminder to share what we have received with those who are not so fortunate.
    Back when I used to do a weekly shop (nearly two years ago now! how can that be?) I used to try and put 10% of the value of my trolley into the supermarket foodbank collection baskets. I do all my shopping on-line now, but I am delighted that there is a 'donation item' that I can add to my cart, and the supermarket makes a donation to food banks or similar charities on my behalf.

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    1. I didn't realise about the possibility of making donations with online orders. That's another good way of giving.

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  8. For the past few years our daughter Angela has worked with young victims of domestic abuse, in her local Refuge and now with children who have witnessed abuse. Local people and business are so generous with donations and she loves taking gifts to 'her families' in the run up to Christmas.
    This year our son has set a cap on what we spend on their children so we have given a larger donation to The Salvation Army. We are blessed with a warm home and loving family. How lovely that Gill's legacy can carry on with her donated toys.

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    1. Your children sound really caring people - what a loving generous family you have, Heather.

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  9. What a serendipity moment - someone was only telling me yesterday that the baby bank she used to knit for had disappeared during lockdown and she didn't know where to find one. I was about to tell her about Liz's one as it's at least in London, when I realized there was a link on their website to a list of others, and I've found one very local to us.

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  10. I love that at Advent, because I don't have my own family to buy for, that I can donate to causes- that's a privilege that not everyone has.
    Our school SLT introduced something a couple of years ago- instead of Secret Santa, we can donate items to a food hamper. They put together a list of items that can be bought and you sign up for what you want to buy. 23 hampers, one for every class which is then donated to a nominated family in need in our school. It's so much better than buying novelty tat for someone (I had opted out for a few years of SS as I didn't see the point of it). Mind you, carrying 23 one kilo bags of granulated sugar across the road from Lidl into school last Monday was a nightmare!!! They were SO heavy.

    I am grateful for Liz and those who help volunteer for causes like this!
    There's so much sadness at the moment but hopefully helping others will make the world a little less sad.
    I've got some clothes and blankets I'd like to donate to a Refugee organisation or a Refuge but I just can't seem to find a S.end based address I could deliver to!

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    1. Kezzie - I suggest you contact Leigh Road Baptist in Leigh on Sea [https://www.lrbc.org.uk/] David, their community worker can probably direct you to somewhere in Southend

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