Mrs Bond is a volunteer for Operation Christmas Child, a project that collects and delivers shoeboxes filled with gifts for children in remote villages of the world.

``For most of the children who receive this gift, this is their first present ever and maybe their last,'' Mrs Bond said.

``To see a teenage orphan boy take out a comb that he can now call his own is a very moving and emotional experience. A girl in Cambodia took out two pens from her box and called out: `Look mum, I have two pens.'

``How many combs and pens have we had in the past 10 years? Too many to count.''

Mrs Bond urged people to donate a shoebox of gifts for the operation, and include a letter and photo so the recipient can relate to the gift-giving family.

She said school supplies, pens, pencils, play toys, balls, skipping ropes, whistles, marbles, soap, toothbrushes, hairbrushes, small bags and thongs were popular presents.

All packaging should be removed and the best toys should be on top, she said.

Last year, 8million shoeboxes collected worldwide were distributed in 100 countries, with 303,000 boxes from New Zealand and Australia given to children in Asia and Pacific countries.

The final date for collection of filled shoeboxes is Friday, November 21.

Contact Judith Bond on 46258786, or visit www .samaritanspurse.org.au, for details.