This year’s Operation Christmas Child saw Canadians pack over 400,000 shoeboxes with items for distribution to youngsters around the world.
It’s part of the Samaritan’s Purse 2022 shoebox campaign.
Locally, 641 shoeboxes filled with toys, hygiene products, school supplies and other items were contributed by St. Thomas residents.
Frank King of Samaritan’s Purse tells myFM where those boxes are destined for.
In 2021, 325 shoeboxes originated from St. Thomas.
For 30 years, Operation Christmas Child has collected and hand-delivered more than 200 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in 170 countries.
King explains the significance of those gifts for children in countries impacted by war, poverty and natural disaster.
While it is shoebox full of toys, personal hygiene items and school supplies, it is more than that.
It is a shoebox full of hope, stresses King.
King notes area residents can take advantage of Operation Christmas Child’s internet option to pack shoeboxes year-round at http://packabox.ca
Samaritan’s Purse Canada is a Christian relief and development organization which aids victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine and persecution.
You can learn more at http://www.SamaritansPurse.ca
Written by Ian McCallum
