Canadians invited to bless children in need with Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts

National Collection Week—when everyone's boxes are to be at Collection Centers—is Nov. 13-19

CALGARY, Oct. 10, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada's 2017 Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection season 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.

Operation Christmas Child is an annual initiative of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief and development organization with projects in more than 100 countries.

Thanks to all the items that Canadians lovingly put in their shoeboxes, and the $10-per-box they donate to cover shipping and other program costs, Samaritan's Purse is able to deliver the boxes 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 struggling children in poverty-stricken countries. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and distributed almost 147 million shoebox gifts around the globe.

"Every shoebox packed by Canadians enables us to reach into some of the darkest and most isolated parts of the developing world," said Randy Crosson, director of Operation Christmas Child. "Please consider packing just one more box to increase the impact you and Operation Christmas Child will have this season."

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 important needs such as clean water, literacy and vocational training for women, school meals for children, etc.

National Shoebox Collection Week is Nov. 13-19: Each gift-filled shoebox packed, donated, and delivered to one of hundreds of collection centers throughout Canada by Nov. 19 will make a long journey into the arms of a needy child in Haiti, Latin America, or West Africa. People can also pack boxes online at PackABox.ca.

News Media Resources: Operation Christmas Child radio, TV, and general media kits are here. To learn more, including suggestions concerning what to put in the shoeboxes, please visit SamaritansPurse.ca/OCC.

About Samaritan's Purse
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. Besides Operation Christmas Child, our work includes providing safe water, vocational skills, and agricultural supplies and training to families in the developing world. Visit SamaritansPurse.ca for more information.

SOURCE Samaritan's Purse Canada

For further information: News Media Contact: To interview a local, national, or international representative of Operation Christmas Child, to obtain information about shoebox events, or to locate the shoebox drop-off locations, please contact: Frank King, News Media Relations Manager, Samaritan's Purse Canada, 1.800.303.1269 or cell: 403-990-0161, [e-mail]

Related Links

http://www.samaritanspurse.ca