Dear Editor,
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Campaign is celebrating its 21st year of operation in North America. These gift-filled shoeboxes make their way to children in under-developed countries whose lives have been traumatized by war, extreme poverty, natural disasters and disease. In 2012 we reached a milestone and collected our 100 millionth shoebox! Our little town of Merritt collected 334 shoeboxes last season (down from 363 the previous year), but we hope to reach our goal of 400 boxes this year!
It is a fun and meaningful charity for families, churches, schools, businesses and organizations to get involved in and we have only until Nov. 24 to accomplish this. Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child is the world’s largest Christmas project and transcends all political and religious barriers to reach the most needy children. They also visit children in hospitals and orphanages with these gift boxes.
Boxes and envelopes with instructions are available at all churches in town, Curves gym, Bench Elementary School, the Nicola Valley Dollar Mart and the Greyhound bus depot, which also generously delivers all boxes free of charge to the main collection centre in Calgary where they are then inspected before being shipped off to their final destinations.
You can also use recycled shoeboxes as well. Make sure you indicate the age and gender of the child for whom the box is intended and include an assortment of new, good quality items for the appropriate age group.
Good suggestions for gift items are listed in the brochures/envelopes. Remember this is probably the first Christmas gift these children have ever received, so let’s make it special! The children love getting personalized cards, letters and photos of you or your family as there is a translator in each area to read out your greeting.
Please do not put in items that can leak, break, melt or freeze, so no liquids or gels. All candy must be hard and wrapped. Please no war-related toys, used items, gum, chocolate, playing cards or toothpaste.
This year, our boxes from Western Canada and the North will go to impoverished areas in the following countries: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Venezuela, Paraguay, Guinea and Equatorial Guinea. You can even pack and donate a box online.
The deadline for boxes to be in is Nov. 24 and they can be dropped off at the participating locations in town or at the Evangelical Free Church between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tuesday to Friday. The E-Free Church (by Rotary Park) is the main collection site and will host a dedication service on Nov. 24 at 10 a.m. when all boxes need to be in.
If you have any questions, you can contact Sue Peachey at 378-2717 or Grace Bergmann at 378-1305. Donations of $7 per box help to cover overseas shipping costs. They are appreciated but not essential.
If you don’t want to pack a box but wish to donate to this ministry, that too can be put in the envelopes provided or can be made online at the Samaritan’s Purse website.
Thanks to all those businesses, churches, schools and organizations that have helped out in the past and we hope to see you again this year!
One last reminder, if you have boxes at home that did not get used last year, please drop them off at participating locations. Thanks!
Sue Peachey,
Merritt co-ordinator for Operation Christmas Child
Grace Bergmann,
assistant co-ordinator
Merritt
