Strathmore steps up to help people in need worldwide

Strathmore recently took part in a worldwide effort to deliver goods to children in need. 

Through the annual Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child shoebox campaign, Strathmore packed 666 boxes full of toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and more to send to places like Ukraine, the Philippines, and western Africa. Like the rest of the country, Strathmore has been struggling with inflation and rising costs, but that didn't stop the community from putting forward another strong effort this year and increasing the total number of boxes from last year's 642.

Samaritan's Purse News Media Relations Manager Frank King is incredibly grateful for all the community support and is happy to see the numbers increase as he says the organization is always looking to help as many people as possible.

"There are always more children who need shoeboxes than we have shoeboxes for, so when we get more shoeboxes than we are planning for it's a great surprise and a joy for our partners in those countries because then they're able to help more children in their countries too. We're just so eternally grateful to the generosity of Canadians and the generosity of Strathmore residents."

Strathmore's shoebox contribution was part of an impressive Alberta total, as Alberta donated 88 717 shoeboxes — a big jump from last year's 80 121. In total, Canada collected more than 415 000 shoeboxes in what eventually became close to 10.6 million shoeboxes collected around the world from other countries like the USA, UK, South Korea, and more.

Operation Christmas Child in Senegal.
Photo Courtesy: Frank King

While the benefits of sending shoeboxes full of important goods and gifts is quite clear, King added it's about more than just the goods, as the act of giving also makes a difference in many children's lives.

"In some cases, the gifts that these children receive will be the very first gifts they will have ever received in their lives. It's amazing when you think about their reactions as they realize these people, who they've never met in a country they may not have even heard of, have gone to all this trouble to pack these shoeboxes just for them."

"It's a great way to give them some joy and some hope to know that there are people who have not forgotten about them."

Operation Christmas Child has been active for 30 years, and in that time span has sent 209 million shoeboxes to 170 countries hurt by war, natural disaster, poverty, disease, and famine.

King added Operation Christmas Child can also act as a gateway to open other opportunities for Samaritan's Purse, as they work year round with third-world countries to provide things like safe water, agricultural supplies, and training.

If you're interested in contributing to Samaritan's Purse, you can visit their Pack-a-Box website here, as they're sending shoeboxes all year round. You can also visit the Samaritan's Purse website here to learn more about the organization and other ways you can contribute. 

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