Christmas is a time for giving, whether in your own family or for people who are less fortunate. Operation Christmas Child asks people to pack a shoebox with gifts for children around the world who would not otherwise receive a Christmas gift.
Teresa Weber, coordinator for Operation Christmas Child for the Dream Centre in Yorkton, says that the goal of the program is to give kids in third-world countries things that children in Canada take for granted, but are difficult to come by in other parts of the world. Things like toys, school supplies, tooth brushes or other gifts. Each box is given a label which indicates whether it’s for a boy or girl, and what age range the box is intended for.
“This box, in turn, goes to children in third-world countries who don’t have anything. A lot of times they’ll come in and give shoeboxes to orphanage kids.”
There are some limitations in what can be sent, Weber notes, mostly surrounding shipping – breakables and food are not allowed because they’re not going to be ship well. They also ask for a small donation of $7 to help with shipping. STC ships boxes to the main distribution centre in Calgary for free.
The program is run through Samaritan’s Purse, which also provides disaster relief around the world. This year, boxes will be shipped to Haiti, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Chile, Ukraine, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Equitorial Guinea.
Weber spearheaded efforts to have the Dream Centre as part of the program, and she believes that in a country like Canada needs to share the wealth.
“Canada is a blessed country, whether we believe it or not. We’ve got a lot of stuff. I think being able to pass it on to children, in particular in third-world countries. When I think that’s everything to them, how can you not try to help?”
Several places in the city are participating in the program. Weber represents the Dream Centre, located at 244 Myrtle Avenue. St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Holy Trinity Anglican Church and Farrell Agencies are also participating in the program. All locations allow people to both pick up and drop off boxes for children. The boxes must be returned before November 20.
In 2015, the Dream Centre shipped just under 1,000 boxes with the program. Weber hopes they can send 250 more boxes than they did last year.
