Operation Christmas Child is once again starting the collection of shoebox gifts for needy children through Samaritan’s Purse. Those who wish to pack a shoebox gift can pick one up from the Weyburn Free Methodist Church, or from displays at the Wholesale Club, Prairie Sky Co-op or at Elite Kitchens.
This year’s deadline is Sunday, November 20 by 4 p.m. at the Free Methodist Church, located at the corner of 14th Street and Coteau Avenue. For more information, contact Bev Alexander, visit one of the displays or go to the website at www.samaritanspurse.org.
The opportunity is open to schools, churches, individuals and organizations to pack a shoebox gift which will be delivered to children in Haiti, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Nepal and Sierra Leone, with an additional 20,000 boxes being sent to Ukraine. The boxes for the Ukraine should include mitts, scarves, toques and socks, and require a label indicating they are for the Ukraine.
Before packing a shoebox, select whether the recipient is to be a boy or girl, and which age category. The available categories are two to four years, five to nine or 10 to 14. School supplies are the most important item to include as for many children this will help enable them to attend school. Other items that could be included are hygiene items, toy cars, stuffed toys, deflated soccer balls with a ball pump, dolls, yoyos, skipping ropes, balls, tools and any other item which would put a smile on a child’s face.
A donation of $7 per box is appreciated to help cover the cost of shipping. The displays with the boxes include brochures, collection centre information and a list of what is or is not an accepted item.
Some of those items which will be accepted include baby powder, baby wipes, balloons, Bibles, candles, chalk, solid deodorant, glue sticks, magnets, magnifying glass, mirrors (only if they are encased), oil pastels, playdough, porcelain items, powdered laundry detergent, resin items, sanitary napkins or tampons, scarves, scissors, sewing kits, silly putty, bars of soap, temporary tattoos, tools (age appropriate), wax crayons and winter clothing.
Among those items which should not be sent are candy of all types, which cannot be included due to customs problems in the receiving countries.
Also, do not send firecrackers, any food items, glow sticks, knives, liquids (such as shampoo or body wash), makeup, medicines, play money, perfume sticks, seeds, toothpaste, or anything war-related.
Organizers also ask that backpacks not be packed in place of boxes, due to the size difference.
