The Alive Church in Norwich is once again running their annual Christmas Toy Appeal, in partnership with Chantry Place and other local organizations. The initiative aims to provide free gifts to children who might otherwise go without during the holiday season. Last year, the appeal helped over 700 families, and this year they are reaching out to local churches to nominate families who could benefit from the scheme. They are asking for referrals for children up to 18 years old, and aim to match each child with a gift to make their Christmas special.
Pastor Jo Thorne of Alive Church emphasized the importance of ensuring that no child goes without gifts at Christmas, and highlighted the discreet nature of the appeal. Gifts are given to parents or guardians in secret, along with wrapping paper and tape, so that they can wrap and label the presents themselves. The church acts as a conduit for the distribution of the gifts, with the goal of spreading joy and Christmas spirit to families in need. Applications to receive gifts are now open, and interested families can contact volunteer staff member Bronwyn for a link to the online application form.
The Toy Appeal has been a success in previous years, with generous donations from the community helping to bring holiday cheer to hundreds of families. Alive Church volunteers, along with donations from Chantry Place, have worked together to ensure that children receive gifts that they will love. The appeal operates on a basis of anonymity, with the focus being on ensuring that families are able to celebrate Christmas without the financial burden of buying gifts. By involving other local churches in the referral process, Alive Church hopes to reach even more families in need and spread joy to as many children as possible.
The appeal is a collaborative effort among various organizations and volunteers, all coming together to make Christmas special for children in Norwich. The spirit of giving is at the heart of the Toy Appeal, with the aim of providing joy and happiness to families who may be struggling financially. By involving local churches in the nomination process, the appeal is able to reach a wider audience and help more families in need. With the support of the community, Alive Church and its partners are able to make a meaningful impact and bring the magic of Christmas to children who may otherwise go without.
