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Canada’s 2024 Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection season is underway.
Individuals, families, churches, businesses, sports teams, and community groups are now packing shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items, plus personal notes and photos, to be delivered to children in need around the world.
Operation Christmas Child is an annual initiative of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization that works in more than 100 countries. Last year, Canadians filled more than 425,000 shoeboxes with gifts that shared God’s love and hope with struggling children in West Africa, Central America, Ukraine, and the Philippines. In a world weighed down by inflation, political turmoil, and the effects of war, children need joy more than ever.
Thanks to the items that Canadians lovingly put in their shoeboxes, and the $12-per-box they donate to cover shipping and other program costs, Samaritan’s Purse is able to deliver the boxes to children around the world living in the midst of poverty, disease, war, and natural disaster.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and distributed more than 220 million shoebox gifts in more than 130 countries.
“Struggling children and families need hope,” said Kendra Shields, director of Operation Christmas Child. “This is the essence of Operation Christmas Child. Every shoebox gift is an opportunity for a child to learn that he or she matters to Canadians and, most importantly, matters to God. That’s why we want to help as many children in need as possible by packing shoeboxes.”
National Shoebox Collection Week is Nov. 18-24: Each gift-filled shoebox packed, donated, and delivered to one of hundreds of drop-off locations throughout Canada by Nov. 24 will make a long journey into the arms of a child in need.
Local Grande Prairie/Fort St. John shoebox drop-off locations:
Grande Prairie Alliance Church
15502 102 St
Grande Prairie, Alberta T8X 0J6
November 18 - 24, 2024
Mon. 9:00am - 3:00pm
Tues. 9:00am - 3:00pm
Wed. 9:00am - 3:00pm
Thur. 9:00am - 3:00pm
Fri. 9:00am - 7:00pm
Sat. 9:00am - 1:00pm
Sun. 9:00am - 1:00pm
Fort St John Alliance Church
9804 99 Ave
Fort St. John, British Columbia V1J 5A5
November 18 - 24, 2024
Mon. 9:00am - 3:00pm
Tues. 9:00am - 3:00pm
Wed. 9:00am - 3:00pm
Thur. 9:00am - 7:00pm
Fri. 9:00am - 7:00pm
Sat. 10:00am - 8:00pm
Sun. 10:00am - 8:00pm
Peace River Alliance Church
8105 106 Ave
Peace River, Alberta T8S 1S7
November 18 - 24, 2024
Mon. CLOSED
Tues. 10:00am - 1:00pm
Wed. 10:00am - 1:00pm
Thur. 10:00am - 7:00pm
Fri. 1:00pm - 7:00pm
Sat. 10:00am - 7:00pm
Sun. 10:00am - 5:00pm
You can also pack boxes online at PackaBox.ca.