3rd year student Sophie Little has got big things in store for charity fundraising at the UoN this term, running the volunteering project ‘Operation Christmas Child’. We spoke to Sophie about her motive behind the fundraising scheme, and why volunteering is something everyone should take part in!
Tell us a bit about your idea for ‘Operation Christmas Child’.
Operation Christmas Child is something I get involved with every year because not only is it fun creating the boxes, but knowing that one box has the potential to put a smile on a child’s face is incredible. This year I wanted to make my contribution greater, so I decided to spread Operation Christmas Child across Uni, in hope of involving as many people as possible and sending numerous boxes. This stemmed from being disappointed year after year when my friends were always reluctant to create a box with me. By raising awareness through the Student Volunteer Centre, I am determined to make Operation Christmas Child a success across Nottingham Uni, and make as many children feel special this Christmas as I can.
Why did you decide to get involved in volunteering for this cause?
I’ve been participating in The Shoebox Appeal since primary school and it has continued to be a project that resonates with me. It means so much to me because Christmas has always been magical time for me, (even at the age of 20!), so I cannot imagine a better way to spend it than to spread this magic to poorer countries. Watching the video of the children opening the boxes is emotional, heart-warming and urges me to try and send more boxes every year.
What are your plans for increasing awareness and fundraising for the event?
In order to increase awareness about Operation Christmas Child, we are currently in the process of collating posters and leaflets from The Samaritan’s Purse’s website. Next week, we will stick these all around uni and hope that students will be intrigued and want to get involved! We need to fundraise money to enable us to create boxes on behalf of those who do not have time to make their own, therefore we are holding two bake sales. One will take place on Monday 4th November in the LASS building, in the atrium between 12-3pm; the other will be on Friday 8th November in Portland, from 10.30am-4pm. We are holding a ‘box-making’ session in the SVC mid-November, where students can bring gifts and put together a box. We have tons of shoeboxes and will be providing wrapping paper, so no need to worry about finding a shoebox! It will be a festive, fun session, in which we will aim to create as many boxes as is physically possible, while listening to some cracking Christmas tunes!
Do you have any particular goals that would make this project standout as a success for you?
I will be delighted with any number of boxes. Regardless of how many boxes we manage to create, it will still be a larger figure than last year because Operation Christmas Child did not run at uni last year! In my opinion, the project is already a success, simply due to it being up-and-running. To send even 10 boxes will be a success in my eyes, as 10 extra children will receive a present on Christmas Day.
Do you think it’s important for us students (especially with all our free time!) to try out volunteering?
Absolutely! Volunteering is rewarding, worthwhile, and it is one way in which we can actually make a difference. I am passionate about charity work and I volunteer for multiple charities because I believe that together, we can help change the lives of those less privileged than we are. Volunteering certainly makes you appreciate the luxurious life we lead and only furthers my passion towards creating change.
Finally, how can students get involved in the project?
Students can attend the bake sale (please, we will have lots of tasty treats to sell!), or even bake for the sale! Just bring your cakes to the LASS building on Monday 4th November, or to Portland on Friday 8th November. We are also encouraging people to make their own boxes and drop them off at the SVC before Friday 15th November. Alternatively, students can attend our session, which should be on Wednesday 13th November at the SVC, where they can use our boxes and wrapping paper to put together a box, using presents they have bought. We will be doing more fundraising events throughout November and December, as we can use the money to make boxes through the Samaritan’s Purse website. These are yet to be confirmed but anybody who is on the mailing list for the SVC will be kept up-to-date with all our events! This Christmas is the Christmas that Notts Uni does Operation Christmas Child. Let’s make it a fantastically festive project, in which lots of students get involved, and let’s light as many children’s faces are possible this Christmas.