The annual campaign to provide a gift box to children in Third World countries, Operation Christmas Child, has begun its collection efforts, with a depot available in Weyburn for local contributions.

Local organizer Bev Alexander said the Weyburn collection centre received 1,124 boxes last year, part of the total of 34,623 boxes sent from Saskatchewan. Canada as a whole contributed 735,692 boxes.

Recipients included children in Sri Lanka, recovering from the tsunami that swept across their island, Colombian street kids, Sudanese refugees fleeing civil war, and Russian students haunted by memories of a terrorist siege.

The gift boxes are contained in a shoe box, or similar-sized plastic container, filled with small toys, school supplies, hygiene items and some candy.

The boxes should include $5 to help cover the costs of shipping, and if the donor would like, they can include a photo of themselves and a letter with name and address. Donors may get a reply if the box is delivered by a distribution team.

Items that should not be included are chewy candy or bulk unwrapped candy, used items, anything that could leak (such as shampoo and conditioner), melt or freeze (such as chocolate, snow globes, bubbles), or scare or harm a child.

Gift boxes can be delivered to the collection centre at either the Free Methodist Church in Weyburn, at the corner of Coteau Avenue and 14th Street, or to Mr. D's Submarine and Pizza.

The deadline this year is Saturday, Nov. 12, to allow time for the boxes to be compiled and sent out by Christmas time.

For more information about the program, contact Bev (Norm) Alexander or call the Free Methodist Church.