News - Youth support charity

^ Evey Wegner with some of the presents.

Youth church supports children’s charity
Newcastle, New South Wales

Young people attending Wallsend’s monthly youth church donated more than 40 boxes full of Christmas presents at the end of 2007, as part of “Operation Christmas child.” The youth took up the challenge to fill shoeboxes with gifts, such as toys, school supplies, lollies, toiletries and other items. These were sent overseas to children in need and distributed in time for Christmas.
Youth church member, Evey Wegner, heard about this project and volunteered to become a regional coordinator. She promoted the plan at youth church, as well as some schools, community groups, and numerous Adventist and other churches in the region. Her home became a drop-off point for the boxes and her garage quickly filled with hundreds of them.
Ms Wegner expressed her gratitude for the support shown by our church. “I was very impressed by the enthusiasm and excitement shown by Wallsend youth in becoming involved in this project,” she says. “It’s wonderful to see so many young people thinking outside of themselves and donating their time, energy and hard-earned money to a worthy cause.”
“Operation Christmas child” is an annual program run by charity Samaritans Purse. More than 200,000 boxes are donated each year in Australia.—Lloyd Turner