The work of Samaritan’s Purse could not continue without the help and support of people across the UK. As well as the thousands of people who donate Christmas shoe boxes through Operation Christmas Child, there are those who give regularly and those who give up their time to enable us to carry on with our regular deliveries of aid and other projects.
You can help us reach out to children
During the Operation Christmas Child appeal there is a great need for practical help from people who can spare any time. Could you volunteer?
Being a Registered Volunteer
Being part of the SPI team as a Registered Volunteer is a wonderful way of serving God to the good of not just children abroad, but the local community. Our Registered Volunteers report how SPI has changed their own lives and that of others who enter the Operation Christmas Child processing centres and warehouses for the first time. The laughter, tears and good fellowship are now as much a part of the work as the checking of shoe boxes and the loading of trucks. It is indeed ordinary people achieving extraordinary things. Opportunities open up to go on projects abroad, pray for the work of Samaritan’s Purse, and promote other projects throughout the year.
The inspiring work of Samaritan's Purse and in particular its Operation Christmas Child Project, could not be achieved without the help and support of a network of Registered Volunteers and local warehouse helpers. We would like to encourage you to be part of this work, in one way or another.
Why become a Registered Volunteer?
If you think you would like more information about our work in schools, churches, businesses or other groups, or feel you might be able to represent us in any other way, why not contact us to see if it would be possible to become a Registered Volunteer so that you can be instructed in our policies and issued with an ID card. Note: you should not promote the charity in any capacity until you have been accepted as an SPI Registered Volunteer.
You can send us your details for us to make contact with you by following this link Volunteer Form
I do not want to become a registered volunteer, but would like to help in an OCC warehouse
Area teams have not been developed in all locations, but your regional manager will be able to advise you on the best way that you can help and where. Samaritan's Purse has around 100 supporters' groups, OCC warehouses and teams in 9 regions across the UK which operate during the OCC season November until December.
We need volunteers from the beginning of November through until the New Year to help us with the handling of over 1 million shoe boxes. In particular we need people with skills in:
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Driving for Collection of Shoe boxes (HGV not required)
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Warehousing
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Knowledge of children - shoe box checking
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Cleaning & organising
You can visit for an hour or for the whole of the OCC season - the choice is yours. Contact your local group for details of opening times etc. To find out the details of your Area Co-ordinator, please telephone our OCC Helpline on 0870 011 2002 or 01993 770 652 - during OCC season May - Nov.
At other times, please contact our Supporter Care Department on 020 8559 2044.
If you have decided to register as a volunteer for Samaritan’s Purse, as opposed to helping in the warehouse alone, once you have been accepted as a person suitable to represent the charity you are issued with an information pack and resources to help you such as videos, CDs and photographs. In addition you will be updated with a special monthly newsletter.
Can I Go Abroad to See the Projects?
Registered Volunteers are welcome to apply for placement on the short term teams programme, although it is worth pointing out that there are often waiting lists for shoe box distribution trips.
Read stories from some of our volunteers!