The Ridgeview Knit n Natter group in Albion Park have been knitting toys to go inside shoeboxes that are sent to disadvantaged children around the world.
Ridgeview Choir Volunteer, Lyn Brown is the Illawarra Regional Coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse (Operation Christmas Child) and has been putting together shoebox gifts for over 20 years.
Lyn, and a team of dedicated volunteers, run Samaritan’s Purse out of a storage shed at Albion Park Uniting Church.
The team puts together shoeboxes and also receives them from churches, schools, groups and individuals, filled with gifts, which are then delivered to children in need around the world.
Recently, Ridgeview’s Volunteer and Pastoral Care Coordinator, Michelle Chate, had the pleasure of meeting with Lyn to see first-hand how this wonderful volunteer organisation operates and what the shoebox gifts are all about.
“I was so impressed by the generosity and joy that this simple act of kindness gives children in need, that I thought it a wonderful opportunity for the residents at Ridgeview to get involved,” she said.
The Ridgeview Knit n Natter group is providing knitted toy ‘worms’ and other knitted items that will go inside these boxes, as well as having weekly craft sessions to decorate and cover shoe boxes ready to be filled with a variety of goodies.
“The residents are enjoying creating gifts to bring joy to children around the world. One more box, one more blessed child,” Michelle said.
