Shoebox packing parties: kindness in action

It may seem like a new concept to some, but for a number of Weyburn's big-hearted residents, 'shoebox packing parties' are becoming an annual tradition.

Each year, generous people in the community fill shoeboxes with gifts for Operation Christmas Child. Individuals, families, groups and city-wide organizations can prepare the shoeboxes, which are distributed to less privileged people across the globe.

To have a shoe box party, it's as simple as asking each participant to bring items that would be appropriate gifts for children living in poverty-stricken countries - including school supplies, hygiene items and toys. Shoes can also be included. For some children, not only is it the first pair they ever receive, but it also enables them to go to school.

At the packing parties, once all of the items are organized on a number of tables, each person takes a shoebox, decides if it will be for a girl or a boy of which age category, and they fill it with a variety of gifts.

Such a gathering can take place in any location that can accommodate the organization of items and larger groups of people. One family could do it with a target goal of a certain number of boxes and then allow their kids to pack the presents.

But for some, the more is definitely the merrier.

Kerri Keith organized a shoebox party for the second year in a row, which took place on November 2 in the gym at Assiniboia Park Elementary School. Last year, Keith had hosted the event in her family's workshop, but the interest and feedback in this year's event compelled her to book a larger venue.

In spite of a number of people being unable to make it to the event due to the weather, Keith said the turnout was still much greater than she could have managed in her workshop.

"We rented the Assiniboia Park gym," said Keith. "Go big or go home!" She noted that those who couldn't attend have either donated items to be used in shoeboxes or they will be sure to go to other shoebox packing parties.

Even some of the adults who were able to make it to the party noted that they had been so inspired that they began planning their own events.

"Coming to a box packing party gets you in the mood to give. It gets you thinking," said Keith. "We all know different people, so it's always so much fun to do it with your own sphere of friends."

Keith's own children were in attendance on November 2, as were a number of other kids from Keith's network. Some participants brought pre-organized groupings of items and others brought everything they'd need to personally fill a box, but having the variety of other peoples' contributions allowed for some excellent gift packages.

In total from the one evening's event, approximately 90 boxes were created, which will be sent to Nicaragua.

Weyburn's own Bev Alexander is the official Operation Christmas Child volunteer coordinator for the local area. She was also at the Keith family's box-packing party. Alexander noted that, having witnessed the variety of reactions by recipients in years past, all of the effort is worthwhile.

Jenni Ference was in attendance for the event, along with Melissa Kohonick, who spoke about their trip to Uruguay. Prior to packing the boxes, they told the children to imagine what it would be like to never have received a gift ever before in their lives.

In spite of her travels to deliver shoeboxes, Kohonick had never before been to a shoebox party.

"It was great, it's really exciting," she said, adding that the people packing the boxes are often just as excited about them as the children who get to open the boxes at the other end.

Melissa and her siblings Miranda and Chris Kohonick will be going to Nicaragua in the New Year to help distribute the shoeboxes.

Bev Katschke will also be going to Nicaragua- and she even has plans to make sure that some of Weyburn's devoted box-packers will see photographs of the recipients holding items they packed.

Katschke will be hosting a shoebox packing party on Tuesday, November 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the Weyburn Free Methodist Church. One should bring items to contribute to the shoeboxes as well as $7 to cover the shipping and handling cost of one box. Anyone interested in participating can plan to attend.

Shoeboxes from individuals and groups will be collected at the Free Methodist Church on November 19 through 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and on November 22 and 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. On Saturday, November 24, collection will be from 10:00 a.m. to noon and from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. and the last day of collection will be on Sunday November 25 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.