Hannah from BCM explains how they help at Christmas.
Every Christmas Birmingham City Mission gives gifts to over 2,500 children in our city, children whose families struggle financially and would otherwise be unable to give Christmas presents to their children.
The logistics of the project is daunting, and work is now in full swing as staff and volunteers prepare for the complicated process of bringing Christmas gifts to the doors of those in need. This is how it happens…
- Social services, churches and other agencies refer families in need to BCM
- BCM collates the details of each family, creating a label for each one showing the children’s names and ages
- Meanwhile, churches, schools, businesses and individuals are collecting and donating new or nearly-new toys which are then passed on to BCM. These toys are carefully checked, sorted and batteries attached if needed.
- Throughout December hordes of volunteer wrappers take family labels and choose 4 gifts for each child. These are wrapped, put into white sacks and the labels stuck on.
- The sacks are sorted into districts and routes are planned for the drivers (many thanks to DPS International for managing the delivery logistics this year)
- Drivers load up the route on their sat nav and the presents are delivered to the door
Please help by buying a gift for a child or organise a gift collection amongst your friends, family and colleagues. Bring them to Birmingham City Mission’s Head Office at 75 Watery Lane Middleway, Bordesley, Birmingham B9 4HN (open Mon-Fri 9-4.30pm).
The children are aged between 0 and 16 years old. New and nearly new toys, books, games and puzzles are needed (must be complete and unmarked). Please do not wrap your present, so we can match the gift to the child.