While most cringe at the thought of talking about Christmas in August, one church in the Meander Valley region is leading the charge.
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Last week, the Westbury Baptist Church held an event to raise funds for a charity which helps disadvantaged children in the Pacific.
Each year, Samaritan's Purse runs its Operation Christmas Child drive.
The aim is to fill millions of shoe boxes and deliver them to children in the pacific.
At last week's high tea, the church raised $2200 for the boxes, organisers said.
"They're normally home-made gifts like teddies, knitted things, all that sort of thing. As well as toothbrushes, things they don't have such as washers, shoes, soap," the organisers said.
Each box costs $10 to send, so the funds raised will assist.
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The church held a similar fundraiser last year.
"But it wasn't quite as big as this one, it has grown which is great," the organisers said.
About 130 people attended the fundraiser.
"It was a really wonderful day and everyone loved it," the organisers said.
"Kim, the state manager, stood up and said how many boxes went out of Tasmania, and we had more per capita than any other state in Australia."
The boxes were mainly delivered to Cambodia, New Guinea and the Philippines.
The church plans to raise more funds in a number of different ways to send more boxes this year.
"These kids have nothing. They live on a $1.90 a day, so it's a special thing for them to receive something like this," the organisers said.
To be involved, visit www.samaritanspurse.org.au/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child.
Boxes must be for either boys or girls and aimed at ages 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14.
Each box must contain something from each of the six categories, which includes something to wear, something to play with, something for school, something to love, something special and something for personal hygiene.
Boxes will be collected in October.
Further information is available by calling 1300 884 468.
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