The Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child shoe box campaign is underway with folks and families picking up the iconic green box with the red lid to fill with toys, school supplies and items of necessity to be given to a child or young teen in countries that are struggling with poverty or war-torn conditions.
And don't forget if you have a few shoe boxes in your cupboard from a recent purchase you can fill that up as well and decorate it as a Christmas gift for a child overseas.
Jackie Enns is the shoe box drop-off coordinator for the Killarney area. Enns has offered to groups and churches in the area that for those who find it difficult to fill a box but still want to participate can simply make a donation of any amount and that can be used to purchase items to fill boxes.
"The idea of collecting funds is something I've taken on to allow people to be able to give that way," explains Enns. "I passed that information on when I did a presentation at the Lakeside Christian School here in Killarney, and the Calvary Baptist Church is now offering that to their congregation as well."
Enns says the typical things to fill a box with include school supplies, toys, stuffies, a sewing kit for older girls, and perhaps a small tool or fishing line for teenage boys.
However, it's important to stay away from any type of weapons or anything scary, liquid and candy.
In 2022 Killarney donated a total of 257 physical shoe boxes and 33 online boxes for a total of 290 shoe boxes. Last year they surpassed that by over a hundred boxes. In 2023 they received 357 physical boxes and 57 online boxes for a total of 414.
"I'd really like to see us reach that 450 mark this year," says Enns. "Having 357 actual boxes last year was the most that I've ever seen from the Killarney area but together with the online it would be wonderful to surpass 450 boxes."
Canada's shoe boxes will be delivered to El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Senegal, Ukraine, The Philippines, Zambia and Cape Verde.
Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes to fill can be picked up in Killarney at participating churches, Chapman Motors, Red Apple, and the Killarney Library.
Please listen to more with Jackie Enns below.
Pickup date is Wednesday, November 20th from these participating locations where the boxes will be brought to Brandon, to then be transported to Calgary for sorting and distribution. Please remember the $12 that needs to be included with each shoe box for transport costs.