Shoeboxes of goodies from Operation Christmas Child go to help the world’s neediest children
By Medicine Hat News on October 27, 2018.
Medicine Hat News Operation Christmas Child, featuring shoebox gifts for the less fortunate around the world, is under way. National Collection Week, when everyone’s boxes are to be at various collection centres, is Nov. 12-18. There are two drop-off locations in Medicine Hat — First Assembly of God Church, 395 Ninth St. S.E. and Hillcrest Evangelical Missionary Church, 3785 13th Ave. S.E. Operation Christmas Child gets annual support from thousands of individuals, families, churches, businesses, sports teams, and community groups, who begin packing shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items, plus personal notes and photos. The program is an annual initiative of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization that works in more than 100 countries. Thanks to all the items that Canadians put in their shoeboxes, and the $10-per-box they donate to cover shipping and other program costs, Samaritan’s Purse is able to deliver the boxes to children around the world living in the midst of poverty, disease, war, and natural disaster. Last year, Canadians filled more than 615,000 shoeboxes. “Every shoebox packed by Canadians enables us to reach into some of the darkest and most isolated parts of the developing world,” said Randy Crosson, director of Operation Christmas Child. Shoeboxes are given as unconditional gifts regardless of the child’s race, religion, or gender. When given, they often open doors for Samaritan’s Purse to work with local community leaders in identifying and addressing important needs such as clean water, literacy, vocational training for women, school meals for children, etc. Each gift-filled shoebox packed, donated, and delivered to one of hundreds of collection centres throughout Canada by Nov. 18 will make a long journey into the arms of a needy child in Haiti, Latin America, or West Africa. 11-10
