Before shoebox gifts can bring hope and joy to children around the world, each one has to be carefully inspected and made ready for international shipment by volunteers just like you. Volunteers serve annually at shoebox Processing Centres in Australia and New Zealand from the end of National Collection until the last shoebox is on its way. Whether you’re interested in serving as an individual or with a group of any size, sign up now and be part of demonstrating love to children in need around the world.
See below for details of this year’s Processing Centres:
Our online volunteer booking is now open.
You or your group can register for specific locations, dates and sessions by using the registration link below each of the Processing Centres listed on this page.
LOCATION:
28 Brookhollow Avenue, Norwest (near Norwest Metro station) 📍MAP
DATES:
23 October – 29 November
Additional sessions will be made available 2 weeks in advance of session times.
Please check back regularly to sign up for additional session times.
LOCATION:
Victory Life Centre – 6 Neil Street, Osborne Park 📍MAP
DATES:
20 October – 8 November
LOCATION:
Narrows Park – 442 Airport Road, Rukuhia, Waikato 3282 📍MAP
DATES:
1 – 12 November
For safety purposes, ALL volunteers must be high school age or older. If under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must be present, unless volunteering as part of a school or organised group. Additionally, one supervisor is required for every 10 high school aged youth.
Working with Children Checks are not required to attend an OCC Processing Centre. However, all staff and volunteer leaders onsite hold current Working with Children approval.
Please see the individual registration event pages for car parking information. We would encourage you to use public transport where available.
Closed-toe shoes are required. You will be volunteering in a warehouse environment, so please make proper provisions to be comfortably and appropriately dressed for this environment. To best prepare, wear closed-toe shoes, appropriate for standing for long periods, and comfortable, casual clothes appropriate for the weather conditions.
Please bring a water bottle and your own food. Please note that food is not available to purchase on site.
Every volunteer in the processing centre plays an important role in ensuring the integrity and successful delivery of each shoebox gift. Volunteers form teams responsible for inspecting gifts, working with filler items, scanning labels, packing cartons by age and gender. Due to the fast-paced environment of the warehouse and changing needs, you may be asked to do different tasks during your shift. You will be trained for each task that you are given to do. Our guarantee is that you will also have a lot of fun!
Your safety is our top priority. We provide a thorough orientation and safety briefing before each volunteer session begins and our team is always available to answer questions and provide guidance during your time with us. We are committed to maintaining a clean, organised workspace and ensure that all safety measures—including appropriate signage, first aid equipment, and emergency procedures—are in place and up to date.
For the safety of all volunteers in the warehouse, Processing Centre staff reserve the right to ask any individual or group not acting in accordance with safety procedures and outlined policies to leave the building at any time.
Our desire is to provide an opportunity for everyone that wants to serve, however, our Processing Centres are working warehouses and busy and noisy environments. All volunteers will be required to be able to stand unassisted throughout their processing shift. We desire to make reasonable accommodations for differing abilities but ask that you call our team ahead of time to discuss what accommodations might be possible.
There are a range of jobs to be completed from checking shoeboxes, to packing outer cartons and filling shipping containers. Tasks will be allocated when you check-in, and training will be provided. Please wear comfortable clothing and enclosed footwear, and bring a water bottle and your own food.
During the weeks surrounding National Collection, volunteer drivers collect boxes from schools, churches and businesses and drop them into Processing Centres using their own vehicle or hired van.
Be part of the final link in the Australian and New Zealand shoebox chain, loading and praying over cartons of processed shoeboxes into shipping containers, bound to bring great joy to children around the world.