Canada’s 2024 Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection season is underway, including in Newmarket and area.
Individuals, families, churches, businesses, sports teams, and community groups are packing shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items, as well as personal notes and photographs, to be delivered to children in need around the world.
Operation Christmas Child is an annual initiative of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization that works in more than 100 countries. Last year, Canadians filled more than 425,000 shoeboxes with gifts that shared God’s love and hope with struggling children in West Africa, Central America, Ukraine and Philippines, according to a Samaritan's Purse news release.
"In a world weighed down with inflation, political turmoil and the effects of war, children need joy more than ever."
Thanks to the items that Canadians lovingly put in their shoeboxes, and the $12 per box they donate to cover shipping and other program costs, Samaritan’s Purse is able to deliver the boxes to children around the world living in the midst of poverty, disease, war, and natural disaster.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and distributed more than 220 million shoebox gifts in more than 130 countries.
Newmarket and area residents packed 1,654 shoeboxes with Christmas gifts for children overseas for the 2023 Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child.
“Struggling children and families need hope,” said Kendra Shields, director of Operation Christmas Child. “This is the essence of Operation Christmas Child. Every shoebox gift is an opportunity for a child to learn that he or she matters to Canadians and, most importantly, matters to God. That’s why I want everyone to help as many children in need as possible by packing shoeboxes.”
National Shoebox Collection Week is Nov. 18 to 24: Each gift-filled shoebox packed, donated, and delivered to one of hundreds of drop-off locations throughout Canada will make a long journey into the arms of children in need. Canadians can also pack boxes online at PackABox.ca.
The drop-off location for Newmarket and area is at Valley View Alliance Church, 333 Davis Dr., from Nov. 18 to 24.
Hours are: Monday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Nov. 18 and 25); Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday closed; Friday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday closed.
