Canadians can keep blessing children through convenient "online shoe boxes"

Operation Christmas Child's web-based feature accommodates last-minute donations

CALGARY, Nov. 26, 2012 /CNW/ - The 2012 Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child shoe box collection season has ended, but thousands of Canadians are still making the most of Operation Christmas Child's "online shoe box" feature that lets them pack and send gift-filled shoe boxes to the developing world from their homes.

The convenient feature means although the deadline has passed for Canadians to drop off shoe boxes at churches, businesses and other collection centers, they can still send gifts of hope and love to hurting children around the world. Simply go to PackaBox.ca and donate gift-filled shoe boxes for $30 each plus $7 each for shipping and other project-related costs.

Canadians who choose Operation Christmas Child's online option begin by deciding whether they want their box to go to a boy or girl. Next, they choose from three age ranges: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Based on those choices, a standard group of items are added to the box. Then the donor can select from among several additional items, and futher personalize the gift by adding a photo and note.

"The opportunity to upload a photo and include a personal message to the child who will receive the box really adds special meaning for the giver and the recipient," said Ben Silcox of Samaritan's Purse.

Nearly 4,000 gift-filled boxes were donated via the Internet during the 2011 shoe box season. They made up part of the 672,274 shoe boxes that Canadians packed with gifts that shared God's love and hope with children in the developing world. This year, Operation Christmas Child is striving towards collecting and distributing our 100-millionth shoe box globally since the program began.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has been a vital project of Samaritan's Purse - a Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.

The shoe box is just the beginning, because Operation Christmas Child is creating opportunities for Samaritan's Purse to provide other help to children, their families, and their communities through clean drinking water, literacy and job skills initiatives, feeding programs, medical care, and more. Visit SamaritansPurse.ca for more information.

SOURCE: Samaritan's Purse Canada

To arrange an interview with a local, national, or international representative of Operation Christmas Child, to obtain information about a shoe box event or story idea in your area, or for more information about online shoe boxes, please contact:

Frank King, Communications Manager
Samaritan's Purse Canada
[email protected] or 1.800.663-6500