Operation Christmas Child, a national campaign, continues to be supported by the Sunshine Coast community.
Local co-ordinator Martha Schroth recently was in Costa Rica where she made a special delivery -a shoebox filled with gifts for a 14-year-old boy named David.
"It was my privilege to deliver this gift in person and to watch his face light up with joy at all the things that were in the box," said Schroth. "He loved the juggling balls and the recorder because he told me he wanted to take music, but they had to provide their own instrument and he wasn't able to do that.
"It was an amazing experience for me."
As a project of Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child has become the world's largest children's Christmas project and is now entering its 19th season.
"I want everyone on the Coast to know how important your role has been, because without your efforts it would not be possible to make a lasting impact in the lives of so many needy children around the world each year," she said. "Last year we shipped 1,101 filled shoeboxes from the Sunshine Coast, and now it's time once again to encourage you to pack a shoebox sized container, or a shoebox provided at local businesses, with school supplies, hygiene items and toys, as well as a personal note and photo if you wish."
She said the boxes and brochures with complete directions are now available for pick up at Gibsons Building Supplies, (Gibsons and Sechelt locations), IGA in Gibsons, Curves, Bethel Baptist Church in Sechelt and the Calvary Baptist Church in Gibsons.
The suggested $7 donation for each shoebox is used to help cover the cost of international shipping and other project related cost. You may include a cheque or donations can be made at samaritanspurse.ca by credit card.
Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes open doors for Samaritan's Purse to provide children, families and communities with access to safe water, food, clothing, shelter, medical assistance, and / or educational resources.
National collection week is Nov. 21 to 27, but to allow for shipping, on the Coast Schroth asks that you return your filled boxes between Nov. 15 to 20 to the place you picked them up or to Calvary Baptist Church, 711 Park Rd., in Gibsons, or 1073 Grandview Rd. in Gibsons.
- Submitted
