You never know how something so small, bought at a dollar store here in Canada, can impact the life of an underprivileged child overseas.

Operation Christmas Child has kicked off here in Strathmore. The initiative is spread out through local churches, community groups, schools and business in Strathmore, who pack shoeboxes that will be sent across the globe to children in need.

Marianne Klassen, Wheatland Area Coordinator for Operation Christmas Child speaks about the impact of the initiative and why people should get involved.

“It is a great way to share your blessings with children, especially to those children around the world who are underprivileged.”

“These boxes from Canada are going to Africa and Latin America this year, and children who will be receiving these boxes are mostly coming from refugee camps and from villages that are pretty poor. It's a great way to share our blessings with them,” she said.

Klassen explains that to get involved, individuals can pick up a box from a participating business or church in town.

“You can pick up the boxes and drop it off at the Strathmore Alliance Church. The collection week will be November 15 to the 21st,” said Klassen.

Each one of the boxes comes with a brochure that has a guide explaining what can be packed in the boxes. Klassen noted that there are a few items that are prohibited, for example, violent games and materials and some liquids.

In Strathmore, shoeboxes can be found at Home Hardware, Value Drug Mart, Rocky's Bakery, Strathmore Sobeys, and Dollar Tree. Participating churches include the Strathmore Alliance Church (drop-off location), Hope Community Covenant Church, and Strathmore Full Gospel Church. 

Operation Christmas Child is an annual initiative of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization that works in more than 100 countries. Last year, Canadians filled more than 373,000 shoeboxes with gifts that shared God’s love and hope with struggling children in West Africa and Central America.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and distributed more than 187 million shoebox gifts in over 100 countries. You can also use the online shoebox option at PackABox.ca.

 

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