YMCA Residents Spread Christmas Cheer Worldwide with Shoebox Gifts

Residents at YMCA Green Lane in Walsall have just hit a major milestone in their George Williams Award by coming together to support Operation Christmas Child’s Shoebox Appeal, organised by Samaritan’s Purse. Through this initiative, they’ve been able to pack shoeboxes filled with gifts for teenagers in need across the globe. This has been an incredibly heartwarming way for our residents to give back and fulfill part of their George Williams Award programme, which focuses on helping them connect with the community and make a positive impact.

The George Williams Award – named after YMCA’s founder, George Williams – aims to inspire residents to get involved in their local communities and give back. For the residents at YMCA Green Lane, supporting the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal was a great way to do just that! They enjoyed working together to collect and pack the boxes with small gifts, toiletries, and school supplies. For many, the thought of a teenager receiving these little gifts and knowing someone cares about them made this activity feel even more meaningful. Our residents were especially motivated after watching videos of children receiving shoeboxes in previous years. Seeing the joy on the children’s faces really inspired them to join in and pack boxes this year. They knew that even something as simple as a shoebox full of gifts could make a huge difference to someone’s Christmas.

Making a Difference Through Giving Back

Participating in charitable activities like this is a big part of the George Williams Award, and YMCA is all about encouraging residents to support causes that matter. Whether it’s through fundraising or volunteering, the programme helps residents learn about the importance of giving back and becoming active members of their community. By supporting Operation Christmas Child, our residents at Green Lane have not only helped children around the world, but they’ve also experienced the joy of working together for a great cause.

At YMCA, we believe that making a positive impact is about more than just helping locally; it’s about showing kindness wherever there’s a need. That’s why we’re so proud of our residents for their involvement in the Shoebox Appeal. This experience has helped them feel more connected to YMCA’s mission of community, compassion, and empathy, which are all core to the George Williams Award. Through projects like these, residents learn the importance of charity, connection, and community, living out George Williams’ legacy of service and care.