Operation Christmas Child set to return to Strathmore 

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Operation Christmas Child will soon be collecting shoeboxes in Strathmore filled with donations intended for children in need all over the world. 

The annual program has been active since 1993, gathering shoebox donations for distribution to children in Central America, the west coast of Africa, the Philippines, and Ukraine. 

“Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian international disaster relief organization, and Operation Christmas Child is all about sharing the love of Jesus with children in need around the world through simple shoebox gifts,” said Kendra Shields, director for Operation Christmas Child Canada. “If a child you know would love it, the children receiving these shoebox gifts would love it, so anything from a stuffed animal, skipping rope, bouncy ball, Play-Doh, a water bottle; so many children are thrilled to have their own toothbrush, basic hygiene items, school supplies, clothing … those are the things that are a real blessing to children who are receiving shoebox gifts.”

She added though the donations won’t change political situations or living conditions, they can spread a little bit of hope, joy, and increase quality of life to a certain extent.

Local pick-up locations distributing shoeboxes in Strathmore will include Lil’ Hoots Family Boutique, Sobeys, Dollar Tree, Spice Dum Biryani, Imperial Dragon, Home Hardware, Value Drug Mart, Oriental Grill, Nature’s Food and Spice, Value Drug Mart, and Rocky’s Bakery. 

Collections will only be accepted at the Strathmore Alliance Church, as they are the local representative of Operation Christmas Child in the local community. 

Last year, a total of 738 shoeboxes were reported to have been collected from Strathmore and the surrounding area. 

“A lot of people shop all year long for their shoe boxes … there are lots of items that you can (use to) fill a shoe box for between $20 and $40 depending on what you choose to put in your shoe box,” said Shields. 

Samaritan’s purse is also asking for donations of $12 in order to help cover the costs of shipping and handling for the boxes, which is suggested to be made online.

Donation boxes do not necessarily have to be a standard cardboard shoe box. Plastic boxes of approximately the same size and shape are also accepted as donation packaging. 

“We want to keep it shoebox size because we are shipping hundreds of thousands of these around the world. We want it to be standard for the children that they are all receiving a similar size box,” added Shields. 

Collections will be running in Strathmore from Nov. 17 until Nov. 23. Further information regarding the campaign, as well as a monetary donation link is available through the Samaritan’s Purse Canada website.