Operation Christmas Child is now underway in our area and will continue through until Nov. 18.
This program is the world’s largest Christmas project for kids and is run by Samaritan’s Purse.
Over the past 23 years, Samaritan’s Purse has provided more than 120 million shoeboxes to over 100 different countries. Sometimes this is a child’s first gift.
Last year, Operation Christmas Child collected over 2,500 boxes throughout the Kootenays and is looking to beat that number this year.
Anyone interested in donating is able to pack a shoebox with little things like, combs, toys, socks, toothbrushes etc...
Once they are packed the organization asks if you can add $7 to the box for shipping them to the third world country. If you are unable to add the money they do have donations that come in just for that.
In Fernie you can pick up your shoeboxes and an instruction pamphlet at East Kootenay Community Credit Union and Ann’s Independent Grocers; in Sparwood you can get them at Overwaitea Foods; and in Elkford at the Community Credit Union (EKC).
Packing information is also found at Samaritanspurse.org.
“This year, there is also the option of packing a box for Ukraine, be sure to mark ‘Ukraine’ on the box lid, if that is where you want it to go,” said a press release from Samaritan’s Purse. “Due to customs regulations, please do not include candy and please do not pack war toys or items that might frighten a child.”
National collection week is from November 12-18, so please be sure to take your box back to one of the locations listed above on or before Friday, November 18.