The Operation Christmas Child (OCC) campaign for the Estevan area is underway, and people are once again encouraged to fill a shoebox with a variety of items for a child in another country.
Jillian Ursu, who is the Estevan drop-off team lead, said Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse that brings hope and joy into the lives of hurting children around the world, through gift-filled shoeboxes.
People can use their own shoebox or pick up an Operation Christmas Child container from the collection centre at the Estevan Alliance Church.
Since its beginning in 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 177 million shoeboxes to children in over 100 countries. For many of these children, the gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they will ever receive.
Last year, Canadians packed over 490,000 shoeboxes and 1,102 of those came from Estevan and area. The total surpassed the goal of 1,000 for the Estevan area.
Canadian shoeboxes collected this year will be going to El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
“Shoeboxes are distributed as unconditional gifts, regardless of the child’s race, religion, or gender,” Ursu wrote. “The shoeboxes often open the door for Samaritan’s Purse to work with the local community to identify and meet other vital needs like clean water, literacy, work training, school meals, etc.”
Churches, groups, organization and schools who require at least 25 shoeboxes should order their shoeboxes and pamphlets online at samaritanspurse.ca and have them shipped directly to them.
“Anyone can pack a shoebox and put a smile on the face of a child across the world; a tangible way to show them the love of God,” Ursu said.
People are asked to pack a shoebox with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, “wow” items, a personal note or picture, and a $10-per-box donation. They also need to indicate whether the box is for a boy or a girl, and the appropriate age group, and fill the box with appropriate items.
Supporters are asked not to include food, candy, playing cards, toothpaste, war-related items, or items that can leak, freeze, or melt (like bubbles, lotions, shampoos, hand sanitizer, or other liquids).
National Collection Week is Nov. 16-22. The Alliance Church will be the drop-off location, and will be open extended hours throughout the week: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Monday, Tuesday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the Wednesday to Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Sunday.
“We encourage everyone to drop off during National Collection Week as there will be volunteers present during those times to collect shoeboxes.”
If you are unable to drop-off during National Collection Week, please contact the Estevan Alliance Church (36-634-2601) to arrange an alternate drop off time.
Volunteers will be wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer and making the shoebox drop-off process as contactless as possible.
“If you are feeling uncertain about packing physical shoeboxes this year, but would love to support Operation Christmas Child, we encourage you to pack shoeboxes online,” Ursu said.
