Guidance and resources to help you make the most f the Christmas Box Appeal
Thank you for your interest in the Christmas Box Appeal. Whether you are simply thinking about joining in, or your school has already committed to supporting the appeal, hopefully you will find all the information you need to make a decision or get started here.
Please get in touch if you have any questions: christmas@houseofopportunity.org or 01722 580192.
Can my school join in?
We would love to have your school’s involvement this year! Our logistics coverage is mainly limited to Southern England, South & West London, the West Midlands and South Wales. If you are northeast of the M40, west of the M5 or east of the M/A23, please do get in touch and we’ll discuss how your school might be able to join in with the appeal.
There are two different ways that schools can take part in the appeal, and a number of schools are now adopting the second approach, which offers an opportunity for all pupils to get involved in one way or another, regardless of family income.
Take a look at the options below and decide which you think will be best for your school. You can then use the sign-up form to register for this year’s appeal. Thank you!
Deadline for all boxes to get to us in Salisbury is Friday 22nd November, but we can make specific arrangements to collect from your school during the two weeks before this date.
OPTION 1:
Individual pupils make boxes at home and bring them into school.
This is the standard way of making boxes. The process usually looks something like:
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Your school confirms its support for this year’s Christmas box appeal.
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Optional presentations take place in school assembly, ideally before end of term in October.
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Children take home a leaflet each, containing instructions on how to make a box and make a donation for its shipping, along with ideas and suggestions of what to put in the box. Leaflets can be downloaded and printed at school, or e-mailed to parents. Alternatively, you can order full-size leaflets from us.
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Children bring in their boxes by a deadline date fixed by school and House of Opportunity (will be in Nov).
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House of Opportunity arrange collection of boxes (normally day after above).
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Boxes are checked & packed for shipping and…
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Distributions in SE Europe normally take place in December.
OPTION 2:
School integrates appeal into autumn term curriculum.
This way offers the chance for the school to create lessons around the appeal. Aspects can include social responsibility, giving and maybe even a bit of maths (see below)! It also means that everybody gets a chance to participate – ensuring that those who may not be able to make a box in the normal way have an opportunity to join in.
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After initial approach from House of Opportunity school agrees to support campaign.
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Optional presentations take place in school assembly, ideally before end of term in October.
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Children take home lists of items to purchase for boxes. Parents then can buy and donate items in bulk, such as:
Sweets
Small toys
Balls
Jigsaws
Small “Loom” kits
Combs & hair accessories
Pens/pencils/cases
Colouring books
Sticker books
Toothpaste/brushes
Soap/facecloths
Gloves/Hats/Scarves
In addition, empty shoeboxes will need to be sourced (max size 395mm long x 240mm wide x 118mm deep). Buying items in bulk will be cheaper and less time intensive for the parents. In some schools the PTA adopt the project and raise funds to add to the donated items.
We also ask for £4 per box to help with shipping and distribution costs. This can be requested of parents or the PTA could target this.
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Items are brought into school and a time set for the children to “make up” the boxes from the donated items. This can take the form of time slots being set for each class to come in during a designated day for a “making session”, where the children, working in pairs or small teams choose from the donated items to make up boxes using simple process and guidance supplied by us (see Resources, below).
Things to consider when preparing boxes:
Variety Add in warm things to wear, practical items, tasty treats, fun items (content suggestions).
Condition New or nearly new in good, working order
Quality Ask yourself, “would I be happy to receive this box..?” All boxes are opened and checked, and unsuitable contents are removed.
Category: We always need more boxes for older boys and men! -
House of Opportunity arrange collection of completed boxes (will be in Nov).
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Boxes are checked & packed for shipping and…
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Distributions normally take place in SE Europe in December.
A number of schools are now adopting this second approach and have found it to be a very effective means of teaching about related issues as well as supporting a positive cause. It can help cover a number of curriculum items and has involved the whole school as even those whose parents cannot contribute get the chance to join in with the box making.
Resources
Downloadable templates and materials to support OPTION 2.
Participated before?
Download 1: A combined note and list (A5) for parents that you can edit and print to suit.
Change dates and add other information to suit your timetable.
The template varies the list of items a little, so try and give out equal numbers of each list. Hopefully this will help to get an even spread of suitable items.
You can always copy and paste if you want to save paper and send to parents via e-mail.
Note & list
Download 2: Cover letter to go with the list above.
Cover letter
New to our Christmas Box Appeal?
Download 1: A combined note and list (A5) for parents that you can edit and print to suit.
Change dates and add other information to suit your timetable.
The template varies the list of items a little, so try and give out equal numbers of each list. Hopefully this will help to get an even spread of suitable items.
You can always copy and paste if you want to save paper and send to parents via e-mail.
Note & list
Download 2: Cover letter to go with the list above.
Cover letter
Bring a group to help sort & pack Christmas boxes in Salisbury this coming November
Would you like to bring some of your pupils to help us sort and pack the boxes? It’s another way for children to get involved and it also gives them a chance to volunteer in a safe, controlled environment. Get in touch at volunteering@houseofopportunity.org to find out more.
Details about this year’s Christmas box depot, including location and opening times, can be found here.
Some of our volunteers took the time to tell us what they like about helping to sort & pack the Christmas boxes.