THOUSANDS of shoe boxes will be shipped to around 94 million underprivileged children around the world with Operation Christmas Child.
More than 60 volunteers lovingly wrapped, packed and checked 19,000 of these boxes every day for the past three weeks at Springfield Business Park.
The shoe boxes, packed full of toys, educational items, sweets and small gifts, will journey as far as Kyrgyzstan, Romania and Belarus.
On Friday, the Bishop of Chelmsford visited the warehouse to meet the volunteers who were sending off 7,694 boxes to Kyrgyzstan that day.
Bishop Stephen Cottrell said: "I really enjoyed popping into the warehouse and saying hello to the 50 or more volunteers.
"Children and other people from all church denominations have obviously put a lot of thought into choosing presents to put into these boxes.
"Every box was beautifully wrapped. It is amazing to think that a Christmas box packed by a child in Essex will be received by a child they may never meet in Romania or central Asia, with their love and best wishes for a happy Christmas.
"But that is what Operation Christmas Child delivers in partnership with all these volunteers year after year, a tangible gift celebrating God's love made real in Jesus."
All of Chelmsford's gift-packed shoe boxes will be shipped to countries where some of the world's poorest children will receive Christmas goodies for the first time in their life.
Edward Conder, 73, one of three warehouse managers, said: "These children have nothing.
"There's no strings attached, just a Christmas present for anyone and everyone.
"They go out to where there's a real need. I mean, you can just picture the smile on the children's faces, it brings a tear to the eye."
Trish Conder, 71, a volunteer who visited Kyrgyzstan in 2011 and Belarus in 2007 where many of the shoe boxes went, added: "We cried a lot and laughed a lot.
"To see a child's face when they've never received a present before in their life is just amazing.
"And then when one of them will give their box back because they feel they can't have all of it. It's inexplicable.
"There was a little girl a year ago, who had cerebral palsy and was unable to move her mouth, and happened to receive a box that had drinking straws in and so she was able to eat.
"What were the chances of that? It is God at work."
Many of the warehouse volunteers have been helping with the operation for years, including Rachel Whallys, 16, and Beth Rose, 16. Beth said: "It's a really friendly and welcoming environment.
"We've been helping out for three years now, and you hear such lovely stories about where the boxes go."
Anyone who wants to get involved in Operation Christmas Child should visit www.operationchrist maschild.org.uk, and all donations are welcome.
