Boxing clever for Christmas

‘BOXING CLEVER’ FOR CHRISTMAS

In November 2020 Rotarians in Newton Aycliffe were invited by Rotarian Pat Pickersgill to participate in a Reverse Advent Calendar/Box initiative to support families in need.
December each year sees many children/adults open a door on their Advent Calendar and take a gift. The suggestion from Rotarian Pat was that each day in November Rotarians put an item of food into a Reverse Advent Box, reverse because we are ‘putting in, not taking out’. The idea was undertaken by all Rotarians, at their own expense. They also invited family and friends to take a box too.
On collection day in early December 2020 there were well over 80 boxes of food, gifts, toiletries and chocolates. The estimated value of the food given was £3000.

The food was distributed to Newton Aycliffe, Shildon and Spennymoor foodbanks. It was gratefully received. Giving the food in December meant that foodbanks were better stocked for the Christmas holidays when there is a greater demand. The project was such a success that Rotarians, family and friends, again at their own expense, will repeat it this year.
The collection boxes are kindly supplied by Newton Press and the printing of leaflets and stickers for the boxes is done by Rotarian @Brian Winwood.

Rotarian Pat invites members of our town to consider following this initiative too which is a great exercise in teaching children that it is better to give than to receive.
If you would like to help, please contact Rotary Newton Aycliffe via our Facebook page or drop off contributions on the morning of 4th December between 11am and 2pm in the car park at The Big Club, Sheraton Rd., Newton Aycliffe. DL5 5NU.