Time running out to pack a box for Operation Christmas Child
Posted Nov 16, 2015 2:40 pm.
Last Updated Nov 16, 2015 3:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Those packing a shoebox for a needy child overseas are asked to take it to one of the Samaritan’s Purse locations as soon as possible.
This is collection week for the campaign, with boxes being accepted until November 22nd. Those dropped off afterward will be distributed but not for the Christmas campaign.
Frank King with Samaritan’s Purse says the three main things they’d like to see in the boxes are toys, school supplies and hygiene items.
“To see the thrill on some of their faces when they pull out toothbrushes is amazing because, where they live, often times they don’t have a toothbrush at all or they have to share it with other family members. The other item that’s really cool besides toys, of course, is school supplies because in some countries, no pencils and no paper means they don’t go to school,” says King.
He also recommends you including a picture of yourself, your family and a note, because the children love to know who it’s from.
If you’d like to wrap the box, they ask you to wrap both pieces because the contents will have to be checked before its sent overseas.
You can also pack a box online at PackABox.ca
Those boxes will be put together in January or February since the organization does not just do shoeboxes for Christmas, they do them all year round.
To find out where to drop off a box, you can go to SamaritansPurse.ca/occ and click on the Collection Centre locator map to enter your postal code and find the nearest drop-off point.
You can also call 1-800-303-1269.
Those packing boxes are kindly asked to include a donation of $7.00 to help cover shipping and other costs.
Last year, Canadians filled more than 700 thousand shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, with gifts destined for children in developing countries.
