Local Hardware Shop and Church Unite for Operation Christmas Child
In a heartwarming display of community collaboration, the hardware shop in Brundall has joined forces with St. Laurence Church to serve as a collection point for Operation Christmas Child. This partnership invites local residents to drop off filled shoeboxes at the hardware store until November 17, bringing holiday cheer to children around the world. The initiative represents a beautiful intersection of local business and faith-based charity, creating a convenient way for community members to participate in global giving during the holiday season.
This shoebox project marks a new venture for St. Laurence Church, though the concept isn’t entirely new to the community. Prior to this official partnership, the Brundall hardware shop—owned and operated by Reverend Andrew Bevan and his wife Alison—had already been supporting the Operation Christmas Child charity on their own. Their dedication to the cause has now blossomed into a formal collaboration with their local church, multiplying the potential impact through combined resources and expanded volunteer support. This transition from individual effort to community initiative demonstrates how grassroots charity can grow when businesses and religious institutions recognize their shared values and goals.
“It is such a delight to see the partnership that has come out of this between the church and shop,” remarked Debra Watkins from Operation Christmas Child. Her enthusiasm reflects the organization’s appreciation for local champions who help extend their global reach. At St. Laurence, Reverend Dave works alongside project leader Vicky and numerous church volunteers who have embraced this mission with open hearts. Their collective dedication has transformed what might have been a small donation drive into a meaningful ministry that engages the broader Brundall community, creating opportunities for neighbors to connect through shared generosity.
Operation Christmas Child, run by international relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, collects shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, personal hygiene items, and small gifts. These boxes are then distributed to children facing hardship in countries around the world. The simplicity of the concept—filling a shoebox with small treasures—belies its profound impact. For many recipient children, these boxes represent the first gift they’ve ever received, bringing not just material items but also a sense that someone across the globe cares about them. This tangible expression of compassion creates powerful moments of joy for children who may have experienced significant trauma or deprivation.
The Brundall partnership exemplifies how small towns can participate in global humanitarian efforts without requiring enormous resources. The hardware store provides a familiar, accessible location where community members already shop, making donation convenient rather than burdensome. Meanwhile, the church offers organizational support, volunteer power, and spiritual motivation that helps sustain the project. Together, they’ve created a model that could inspire similar collaborations in other communities—proving that when local institutions combine their strengths, they can achieve meaningful results that extend far beyond their geographic boundaries.
Those interested in participating or learning more about Operation Christmas Child for their church, school, group, or business are encouraged to contact Mark and Debra Watkins at [email protected] or visit www.samaritans-purse.org.uk. While the immediate focus is collecting shoeboxes before the November 17 deadline, the underlying message transcends seasonal charity. This partnership between St. Laurence Church and the Brundall hardware shop demonstrates how communities can build lasting infrastructures of compassion, turning holiday giving into sustained action that connects local generosity with global need. Through such efforts, the spirit of giving becomes woven into the fabric of community life, creating traditions of kindness that benefit both recipients and participants.
