Operation Drawstring
MOMS wanted to lend its support and get word out on a great initiative that one of our first ever contributors Kerry Lenihan has come up with to help those less well off on the streets of Birmingham over the Christmas period. Full details below including drop off details at the upcoming Villa vs Watford game. It would be great if you could give Kerry, who follows Villa home and away, your support and help in any which way you can. Many thanks. UTV
Now, over to Kerry…
Christmas is just over seven weeks away, the weather is getting colder, the days shorter, and the number of homeless people/rough sleepers on the streets in Birmingham seems to be increasing.
For a while now I’ve been attempting to come up with some kind of project to help make life a little easier for those in need, the outcome is Operation Drawstring. A social action campaign with the aim to spread festive cheer to the rough sleepers/homeless on the streets of Birmingham over the holiday period.
Taking inspiration from various ‘Operation Shoe Box’ initiatives, it struck me that shoe boxes are quite tricky to carry around with you if you’re homeless, so I’m hoping to try something different.
Remember those drawstring bags you had as a child for P.E.? This year, instead of a shoe box, we’ll fill one of those bags with small essential items. Then myself and team of volunteers will distribute the bags to those on the streets. The bags can be reused after the initial items run out, and are easy for people to carry with them. If you’ve ever volunteered at a shelter, you’ll know people are always asking for bags.
You can choose to donate a fully stuffed bag or just a few items which myself and my team of volunteers will stuff for you. If you choose to donate a bag please add a small Christmas tag with a ‘Female’ or ‘Male’ note.
Example items to include or donate:
Socks, Scarves , Gloves, Hats, Toiletries (Tissues, Toothbrush & Toothpaste, Face Wipes, Roll On Deodorants, Lip Balm)
Biscuits, Chocolates, Sweets, Crisps
Bottles Of Water
Festive Novelties
Please NO Aerosols or Sharp Objects.
I’d also like to collect drawstring bags themselves, this way we can make up extra bags with surplus donations.
If you would like to volunteer to help with Operation Drawstring, please send me an email on kerry.lenihan1@gmail.com. I need volunteers for the collections, the bag stuffing and the distribution itself.
If you are a company and would like to donate funds to the campaign, please email me on kerry.lenihan1@gmail.com. I am actively sourcing funds to purchase large quantities of drawstring bags.
For up-to-date information regarding collections/drop-offs and funding updates please like our Facebook Page – Operation Drawstring.
do we really want people carrying bags to the ground at the moment with all the security issues that can trigger
Seriously? If you’re that paranoid, then the terrorists have already won. The drop off point will be outside the ground, so there’s no issue whatsoever.