Organizers behind the annual Operation Christmas Child program look forward to seeing how much support comes from south central Manitoba this year.
The region always goes above and beyond with its contributions of shoebox gift hampers that go to families in need all over the world.
“This is now my 11th season with Operation Christmas Child, and I have always been blown away by the support from down there,” said Lynnette Loewen, regional manager for the campaign. “We’ve also had some really incredible volunteers over the years who have contributed a lot, even incredible partners down there.”
There are countless examples of individuals and groups going the extra mile, Loewen noted, such as a senior’s home in Winkler that handcrafts some of their shoebox supplies or the Plum Coulee church that every year meets or exceeds the goal of a thousand boxes.
“With the shoeboxes, you’re looking at over 5,000 every year, and that’s amazing,” said Loewen of the region. “You’re pushing high and pulling in numbers, given the amount of population there, that are quite incredible.
“I think it’s a testament to the people there and their love for giving. We have incredible donors down there.”
A program of the Christian ministry Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child each year delivers thousands of gift boxes. Last year more than 415,000 shoeboxes went out to children in West Africa, Central America, Ukraine, and Philippines.
Each box can be packed full of toys, school supplies, and personal care items. For many recipients, it may be the only Christmas gift they receive.
The boxes are collected through local church partners, which include Gospel Mission Church in Winkler and the Carman Pentecostal Church.
Shoebox Collection Week is Nov. 13-19 this year. Empty boxes can be found at a number of locations, such as local dollar stores, but you can also just create your own with whatever works.
“You can pack a regular shoe box. You can pack a plastic bin … we’ve even had tool boxes come in,” Loewen noted. “Sometimes people are really creative.”
Loewen simply encourages people to “think of what might excite a child. We always say pack a wow item in there … school supplies, hygiene stuff … the only thing we ask of course is no liquids and no war related items because some of these boxes are going into war zones.”
Loewen noted a family letter can also be a great addition to a shoebox.
“I encourage people to do like my family does and include a letter … I put in a picture of my family and I even put in an address,” she said. “I have received lots of letters back.”
If you do a letter, it can be a good idea to have it translated into French and/or Spanish, as those are dominant languages in many countries.
“If people don’t have time to go shopping and can’t go pick up a physical box, we have an online website: packabox.ca,” Loewen said. “So it’s online shopping. You can pick your items. We’re trying to make it as easy and accessible as possible, and we’re also trying to make it fun for people.”
Loewen encourages everyone to get involved in the campaign and to make a difference for a family somewhere out in the world that is less fortunate.
“These shoeboxes get us into a lot of countries, and the countries we’re looking at are mostly third world countries and some of them are in the middle of a war right now, like the Ukraine,” she said. “We give the gift to the child, but it’s blessing the parents as well. In a time of darkness and sorrow and loss, there’s a bit of hope and joy by seeing their child get excited.”
For more information or drop-off site locations and hours near you, head to samaritanspurse.ca
