As the time of year approaches for giving back and spreading Christmas cheer, Campbell River's Operation Christmas Child invites the community in the city to take part in its annual shoebox campaign.
Local Operation Christmas Child coordinator Deana Longland said there are great reasons to participate. Some of those reasons include the joy that lights up children's faces when they receive items like shoes that help them to attend school or a soccer ball that brings them happiness.
"Many times, these children have never received any gift in their entire life, and the chances of getting a gift are pretty slim," Longland said of the millions of kids in developing countries that have received shoeboxes through this campaign over the years. "Just being able to have school supplies to go to school sometimes doesn't happen, so they don't go to school."
The campaign, held annually in Campbell River for over ten years, is part of Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical Christian humanitarian organization based in Boone, North Carolina. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered 220 million shoeboxes filled with gifts to children in more than 170 countries, according to its website.
In 2023, about 1,273 residents from the Campbell River area contributed shoebox gifts to Operation Christmas Child, marking a six per cent increase compared to 2022.
The campaign in Campbell River kicks off on Nov. 18 and runs until Nov. 24. Participants can pick up a shoebox from various locations throughout the city and return it to Discovery Community Church (250 10th Ave.) by Nov. 19. Each shoebox should be filled with toys, hygiene products, school supplies, and a fun item.
READ MORE: Campbell Riverites spread Christmas cheer through Operation Christmas Child
Participants can choose to donate a shoebox for either a boy or girl, selecting from age groups of two to four, five to nine, or ten to fourteen.
Longland said another reason to contribute is that these gifts go beyond religious boundaries, allowing children from all faiths to receive them. Shoeboxes are not exclusively distributed by local churches in these countries as they are also provided through community centres and other venues.
"There are stories that have come forth to Samaritan's Purse after the children are adults, saying that receiving that shoebox symbolized light and hope to them," she said.
Shoeboxes are available for pickup at St. Patrick’s Church, Christian Life Fellowship Church, Ocean Crest Community Church, Vineyard Church, Discovery Community Church, Gateway Foursquare Church, Willow Point Dollar Store, and Dollar Tree.
