Operation Christmas Child gearing up for another season

 

 

By Vicki Winger

 

The Samaritan’s Purse – Operation Christmas Child has been selling shoeboxes once again. This is a project that brings joy and hope to children around the world who are suffering from poverty, war, disease, and disaster.

 

Operation Christmas Child was started in 1990. In 1993, Operation Christmas Child grew and was adopted by Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian organization. Local organizer Wayne Golding sys there are several places around town where you can pick up your shoebox such as No Frills, the Baptist Church, and Midtown Mall. Golding says some useful items are school supplies, toothbrushes, toys, and deflated soccer balls with little hand-held pumps. The children love playing with balls.

 

Last year, Golding says there were 810 shoeboxes. However, the three and four years prior were in the range of 1,200 to 1,300 boxes. He’s attributing the decline to the economy.

 

Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child will be available for purchase until November 10. They will then be sent to a warehouse in Calgary where they will be checked over and shipped to various countries.