Canadians can keep blessing hurting children by donating shoeboxes online

Operation Christmas Child's convenient PackaBox.ca site ideal for last-minute donations

CALGARY, Dec. 1, 2015 /CNW/ - The shoebox collection phase of Samaritan's Purse's 2015 Operation Christmas Child's season has ended, and all the boxes that Canadians packed and donated for kids in the developing world are on their way to processing centers in Ontario and Alberta. But Canadians can still pack and send more shoeboxes at PackaBox.ca.

Canadians who choose this online method to fill shoeboxes can decide whether they want their boxes to go to boys or girls. Next, they can choose the age range: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Based on those choices, a grouping of age- and gender-appropriate gift items will be packed into each box. The donor can also choose among a menu of other items, and further personalize their boxes by adding a photo and note.

"We hear back from the children and their families who receive the shoeboxes how meaningful the photo and personal message are. Many have told us how the photos, messages, and the gifts brought them hope and reminded them they were not forgotten—that someone was thinking about them and praying for them," said Fred Weiss, Executive Director of Samaritan's Purse Canada.

Canadians donated more than 5,000 online gift-filled boxes via PackaBox.ca during the 2014 shoebox season—which totaled 700,474 shoeboxes, including all of those packed the traditional way. Each one was an opportunity to share the love and hope of Jesus Christ with children in the developing world.

Which countries receive Canadian shoeboxes? What are the most popular shoebox items? How do shoeboxes get from Canadian processing centers to children in the developing world? What happens after people pack shoeboxes online? When are shoeboxes distributed? To get answers to these questions and others from a local or national Operation Christmas Child representative, please contact:

Frank King, Communications Manager
Samaritan's Purse Canada
[e-mail]
1.800.663.6500 or (cell) 403.990.0161

About Samaritan's Purse Canada

Samaritan's Purse is a Christian relief and development organization that takes its name from Jesus Christ's biblical story of the Good Samaritan. Like that Good Samaritan, who found a beaten man and helped restore him, we aid victims of war, disease, disaster, poverty, famine, and persecution. Our other initiatives include providing safe water, literacy skills, vocational training and more for people in the developing world. Learn more at SamaritansPurse.ca.

SOURCE Samaritan's Purse Canada

For further information: Frank King, Communications Manager, Samaritan's Purse Canada, [e-mail], 1.800.663.6500 or (cell) 403.990.0161