The true spirit of Christmas will be winging its way to one of the poorest countries in Europe thanks to the generosity of local communities.
Monday – Wednesday, November 4-6 saw Buckie Blythswood Christmas Shoebox Appeal get to work in Buckie Baptist Church collecting or filling shoeboxes full of goodies for people of all ages in the Eastern European republic of Moldova.
The volunteer Buckie Blythswood team have sent almost 2400 Christmas shoeboxes to Moldova. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
The cost of living crisis once again did not stop local folk help send some festive smiles in a shoebox, with just under 1400 boxes sent on their way by truck by the end of the week. A total in excess of £2000 in cash donations was also raised, the sum going towards the high fuel costs involved transporting the boxes across Europe to their donation.
There were also new hands on the tiller of this year’s campaign, with stalwarts George and Joan Flett stepping down after last year’s collection, handing the reins over to Karen and Kenneth McKilligan.
Mrs McKilligan said: “The response has been fantastic, absolutely fantastic.
“We’re every grateful to everyone who donated a filled shoebox, items to fill a shoebox or cash to help with the transport costs. It’s been amazing, especially when you consider we’re still in a cost of living crisis and things are still hard for many people.
“The generosity of people has been staggering.”
Buckie Blythswood shoebox appeal co-organiser Karen McKilligan. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
In one astounding act of generosity, one person went out and bought £250-worth of toothpaste, an item which is always in short supply when it comes to filling shoeboxes. As well as topping up the boxes set to head east, there is some of the stock left over for next year to provide a bit of a head start in that regard.
Mrs McKilligan noted that this year the balance had swung more towards donations of ready-filled boxes as opposed to items for the volunteer team to use to make up the festive gift parcels.
She commented: “We prefer ready-filled boxes, because it’s really personal.
“If someone’s filled a box themselves, it’s really personal.
“However, we’re grateful for whatever folk can spare us.”
Each shoebox is made up with a specific recipient in mind, categorised by both gender and age.
Volunteers help fill Christmas shoeboxes at the Buckie Baptist Church hall as part of the Blythswood appeal. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
Shoeboxes contain small, non-perishable items such as toiletries, gloves and the like while the ones for children often contain small toys or stationery.
This year the most popular categories included baby, three to seven and older lady, with teenage boy a perennially difficult one to fill.
While the McKillgans have been involved with the shoebox appeal previously as volunteers, this was the first time they have done so in an organisational capacity.
Mrs Killigan said: “It’s been very good, in fact it’s been better than we thought.
“George and Joan have been great with their advice and guidance and the team here is just great.
“There’s so many stalwarts who have been doing this for so many years and are just so dedicated.
Co-organiser Kenneth McKilligan with some of the shoeboxes bound for Eastern Europe. Picture: Daniel Forsyth
“There’s also folk at home doing stuff for the campaign.
“I’ve been taking lots of notes as we’ve gone along but the campaign basically works very well as it is.
“Everybody’s really stepped up and it’s heart-warming to know we’ll be helping to put smiles on so many faces this Christmas – that’s what it’s all about.””
She went on to voice her thanks to Mr and Mrs Flett for all their hard work over the years for the campaign, as well as the Buckie Baptist Church for allowing them the use of the hall.
For more about the work Blythswood Care do all the year round, visit their website at https://blythswood.org/
Deborah Miller fills a festive shoebox. Picture: Daniel Forsyth Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.