Operation Christmas Child calls on Canadians to shop and pack, as annual gift-filled shoebox season begins
National Collection Week—when everyone's boxes are to be at Collection Centers—is November 17-23
CALGARY, Oct. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canada-wide 2014 Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection season—an annual initiative of Samaritan's Purse Canada—starts today as thousands of individuals, families, churches, businesses, sports teams, and community groups begin packing shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items, plus personal notes and photos.
Samaritan's Purse will deliver the gift-filled shoeboxes to children around the world living in the midst of poverty, disease, war, and natural disaster. Last year, Canadians filled more than 664,000 shoeboxes with gifts that shared God's love and hope with children in the developing world. And since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and distributed more than 103 million shoebox gifts around the globe.
"We are inviting Canadians from coast to coast to join us again this year in packing and donating gift-filled shoeboxes," said Fred Weiss, Executive Director of Samaritan's Purse Canada. "Together, we have the opportunity to help millions of needy children know they have not been forgotten and that God loves them. Please join us in bringing good news and great joy to children around the world."
Shoeboxes are given as unconditional gifts regardless of the child's race, religion or gender. When given, they often open doors for Samaritan's Purse to work with local community leaders in identifying and addressing other needs, such as clean water, literacy and vocational training for women, school meals for children, etc.
National Shoebox Collection Week is Nov. 17-23: Each gift-filled shoebox packed, donated, and delivered to one of hundreds of collection centers throughout Canada by Nov. 23 will make a long journey into the arms of a needy child in Haiti, South or Central America, or West Africa.
Available Resources:
To learn more, visit SamaritansPurse.ca/OCC
About Samaritan's Purse
Samaritan's Purse is a Christian relief and development organization that provides physical and spiritual aid to hurting people worldwide. For two decades, one of our most important initiatives has been Operation Christmas Child. Other major Samaritan's Purse projects include life-saving BioSand Water Filters, plus new and larger versions specifically designed for schools. Visit our website at SamaritansPurse.ca.
SOURCE: Samaritan's Purse Canada
News Media: To interview a local, national, or international representative of Operation Christmas Child, to obtain information about upcoming shoebox events, or to locate the nearest shoebox drop-off location, please contact: Dana Smith, Senior Communications Advisor, Samaritan's Purse Canada, 1.800.303.1269 or cell: 403-826-1271, [email protected]
Share this article