ESTEVAN - Estevan area residents are once again encouraged to fill a shoebox with a variety of items for children around the world as part of the Operation Christmas Child campaign.
“Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, brings hope and joy into the lives of hurting children around the world, through gift-filled shoeboxes,” said Jillian Ursu, the drop-off team lead for Estevan and area.
A total of 741 shoeboxes were collected from the Estevan area last year.
“It was incredible to see how people were still determined to pack shoeboxes and give even when it was more difficult to do so,” said Ursu.
In 2021, shoeboxes collected in Estevan and elsewhere in Canada will be going to El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes can be picked up at the Estevan Alliance Church, and individuals, families, groups and churches are encouraged to participate. People can also fill an ordinary shoebox.
Donors are asked to decide if they are packing for a girl or boy and what age group, be it two to four years old, five to nine, or 10-14. Gifts should be age-appropriate.
Items accepted include toys, such as balls, dolls, stuffed animals, socks, hair accessories, cars, musical instruments, puzzles, jump ropes, etc.; hygiene items, such as a toothbrush, comb, brush, soap bar, floss, wash cloth, t-shirt, etc.; and school supplies, including pencils, pens, crayons, pencil crayons, notebooks, etc.
Donors are also asked to include a personal note or a photo.
Items not accepted include used merchandise, food, candy, playing cards, toothpaste, war-related toys, or anything that can leak, freeze, or melt, like bubbles, lotions, shampoos, hand sanitizer or other liquids.
They also ask for a donation of $10 per shoebox to cover shipping and other program costs. Place the donation in an envelope on top of items in one of the shoeboxes. Donations can be combined into one shoebox if multiple shoeboxes are packed.
National Collection Week is Nov. 15-21. The Estevan Alliance Church is once again the drop-off location, and will be open extended hours throughout the week, from 9 a.m. to 6 pm. Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Saturday and 9-4 p.m. on the Sunday.
“I am truly excited to see Estevan and area come together once again and put smiles on the faces of hundreds of children by packing shoeboxes,” said Ursu, who is in her eighth year as the local co-ordinator.
If anyone is feeling uncertain about packing physical shoeboxes this year, but would like to support Operation Christmas Child, they can pack a shoebox online.
If you would like to donate items to be used in shoeboxes, they will be accepted in a donation bin at the Estevan Alliance Church.
Since its beginning in 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 188 million shoeboxes to children in over 170 countries and territories. For many of these children, the gift-filled shoebox is the first present they have ever received.
Shoeboxes are distributed as unconditional gifts, regardless of the child’s race, religion or gender. The shoeboxes often open the door for Samaritan’s Purse to work with the local community to identify and meet other vital needs like clean water, literacy, work training, school meals, etc.
