Organizers are pleased with the region’s response to this year’s Operation Christmas Child drive.
There were over 5,500 shoebox gift hampers packed to be shipped off to a number of possible destinations around the world, including West Africa, Central America, Ukraine, and the Philippines.
“It is right on par with last year, so we’re very happy about it,” said regional co-ordinator Adria Dyck once the dust had settled on collection week. “It was very successful. It went well. It was great to see people still participating this year even though costs are higher and things are expensive.”
Dyck noted that this region has been known to go above and beyond with its contributions of shoeboxes for families in need.
“I have heard that our region is very generous compared to other regions in the province or even in the country,” she said. “We have a really generous region, and you can see that people really believe in the mission and the ministry.
“I think a lot of people understand the heart behind it; it’s not just about the gift, but it’s about the program and the ministry that happens in country after the kids receive the gift,” she added. “I think a lot of people in this area really connect with that and feel passionate about it.”
A program of Samaritan’s Purse, the Operation Christmas Child campaign seeks to deliver joy and the good news of Jesus Christ to children in need around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes. Each box is packed with toys, school supplies, and personal care items.
This year’s campaign culminated with collection week Nov. 13-19, and there were a number of locals donors who showed up armed with hundreds of boxes.
“There are a couple sisters who did over 700 boxes together this year,” shared Dyck. “There was another lady and her mother who did about 300 boxes.
“We had a lot of churches participating again this year, and there is a church in Plum Coulee that did over a thousand boxes,” she said. “We had lots of families bringing in boxes and doing it with their kids.
“It’s very heartwarming. It’s nice to hear the stories from the people bringing them in … it kind of becomes a thing that gets passed on from generation to generation, so it’s very cool to see it all coming in.”
