Samaritan's Purse launches national "My Shoebox Challenge"

Campaign urges Canadians to challenge each other to pack Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes online

CALGARY, Oct. 8, 2014  /CNW/ - Samaritan's Purse has launched a national "My Shoebox Challenge" campaign to encourage Canadians to challenge each other using the Internet to pack shoeboxes online—filling them with gifts for struggling children in the developing world.

My Shoebox Challenge is another way to participate in Samaritan's Purse's annual Operation Christmas Child program that has given gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 103 million children worldwide since 1993.

The Challenge gives individuals, organizations and churches, an online platform to set shoebox donation targets and create their own challenge pages to encourage others to participate. The goal is to fill as many boxes as possible with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and other treats. The tax-deductible cost of box donated online is $37 including shipping. Each box will be hand-delivered to an excited child.

"Canadians contributed 664,000 shoeboxes last year," said Fred Weiss, Executive Director of Samaritan's Purse Canada. "Most Canadians contributed by shopping in local stores. My Shoebox Challenge offers Canadians the opportunity to contribute from the convenience of their own homes or their mobile devices.

Each shoebox is an opportunity to show these children—many of whom have never before received a personal gift—that they are loved by God and by generous Canadians from coast to coast."

Worldplay (Canada) Inc. is providing the My Shoebox Challenge online platform at MyShoeboxChallenge.ca.

"We are honored to partner with Samaritan's Purse in the My Shoebox Challenge," said Craig Slater, Marketing Director at Worldplay. "We hope Canadians will respond with lots of enthusiasm—packing boxes themselves, and challenging family members, friends, and co-workers to pack boxes. Each box will bring joy to a child who needs to be loved."

Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes are given to children regardless of their religious faith, ethnic background or other factors. Whenever possible, children are invited to participate in The Greatest Journey—a 12-lesson Bible study to learn about God's love for everyone. Shoe box distributions often open doors for Samaritan's Purse, in consultation with local community leaders, to identify and meet other needs such as safe water, sustainable food production, and/or vocational training.

About Samaritan's Purse Canada

Samaritan's Purse is an international Christian relief and development organization helping victims of war, natural disaster, poverty, and persecution in more than 100 countries. Since 1993, the organization's Operation Christmas Child program has delivered more than 103 million gift-filled shoeboxes worldwide. Go to SamaritansPurse.ca

About Worldplay (Canada) Inc.

Worldplay powers captivating online video experiences to reach and engage audiences anywhere, anytime. As a Content-as-a-Services (CaaS) provider, Worldplay helps the world's leading organizations in education, media and enterprise drive value through connecting customers with powerful and engaging online video content while reducing technical complexity, cost and bureaucracy. Go to worldplaynetworks.com

SOURCE: Samaritan's Purse Canada

For further information: Media Inquiries: Frank King, Communications Manager, Samaritan's Purse Canada, [email protected], 1.800.303.1269 or (cell) 403.990.0161