It’s a simple concept and easy to do, and has the affect of bringing joy to children around the world. All that’s needed is a shoebox full of thoughtful items.
Since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has run its Operation Christmas Child project. The agency is an international humanitarian aid organization which focuses on providing basic needs such as clean water, disaster relief, medical and education concerns around the world.
The project involves filling shoeboxes full of items that will be useful to children who may be poor, homeless, suffering from famine, natural disasters, ravages of war and living in an underdeveloped country.
In 2011, residents of Powell River generously supported Operation Christmas Child by giving 667 shoeboxes filled with school supplies, hygiene items, toys and many other useful items. Canadians all over the country gave 672,274 shoeboxes.
So far, 94 million children worldwide have been recipients of shoebox gifts. The quest is now on to deliver the 100-millionth shoebox.
Various locations around Powell River have shoeboxes available, including Your Dollar Store with More and Valley Building Supplies, as well as several churches and schools.
People filling boxes choose to do so for a boy or a girl and an age category: two to four, five to nine, 10 to 14. Suggestions on what to put into the box are available online.
Simple supply items include school supplies, games, balls, bar soap (in a plastic bag), combs, hand towels, hair clips, T-shirts, socks, underwear, mittens, gloves, stuffed animals, dolls, cars, jewellery or individually-wrapped hard candy.
There are some items that are not welcome in boxes. These include scary items, war toys, playing cards, soft candy, gum, toothpaste, liquids that may leak, melt, freeze or break.
It may be tempting to use larger boxes and fill them to the top, however, the shoebox size is the one that is efficient for shipping overseas. A difference in box size could also be confusing to children when some receive a larger box than others.
Filled shoeboxes can be returned to the place where the empty shoebox was collected, before Friday, November 16. Including $7 with each shoebox covers shipping costs and this can be either in cash or by cheque made out to Samaritan’s Purse. The shipping donation can also be done online.
For more information, readers can contact Trudy Anderson at 604.485.5345 or Sharon Wright 604.485.2329.
