Countdown to Xmas – ELBA Toy Appeal & Festive Volunteering….

As it is fast approaching the festive period everyone is seeking round gifts and searching for the latest toys in store to make someone’s Christmas extra special. In the mad rush of our daily lives it is easy to forget to take a moment & think about those that will go without or are not as fortunate. Here at ELBA we have made it our yearly mission through the festive period to have children, their families & the east London community at the forefront of our mind and what we do.

Currently in full swing is the ELBA Toy Appeal which has already seen over 35 companies sign up to help children across east London receive toys in December. These children are those that would usually go without a special gift on Christmas morning. The young people may attend local community centers, schools or outdoor spaces like adventure playground or are users of local borough food banks and refugee organisation facilities. If your company has signed up please do start donating toys as soon as possible to make sure gifts ‘come down the chimney’ on time for those that are patiently hoping for a bit of Christmas cheer!

But ELBA festivities don’t end there with several volunteers teams looking to take part in volunteering during the season of goodwill and giving. An example is T.Rowe Price, a global investment firm sees volunteers go out in force on Thanksgiving Day, this year on the 23rd of November. The team of volunteers plan to help Gaswork Docks Partnership in Newham with exciting projects like revamping punting boats to be used for watersports and boat restoration to be used as a community boat for local residents in Newham in 2018/2019.

If you’re a company interested in following suit then we have other exciting Christmas volunteering opportunities that are accessible including a winter fayre in a local primary school, Christmas party preparations in local community centre hubs & a tea party & dance with the elderly! Interested? Please contact shahanah.begum@elba-1.org.uk by Friday December 1st 2017. Remember to register your interest quick to make sure you get your first choice, join in the celebrations and be a part of a better Christmas for east London this year!