The shoebox collection season for Canada's 2024 Operation Christmas Child has begun.
Operation Christmas Child is an annual event organized by Samaritan's Purse, a worldwide Christian humanitarian organization with operations in more than 100 countries. Last year, Canadians filled almost 425,000 shoeboxes with gifts to aid children in need from the Philippines, Ukraine, Central America, and West Africa.
Over 220 million shoebox presents have been gathered and distributed in more than 130 countries since 1993 as part of Operation Christmas Child.
“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 I want everyone to help as many children in need as possible by packing shoeboxes.”
Frank King, news media relations manager for Samaritan’s Purse Canada explained that National Shoebox Collection Week (November 18-24) is just around the corner.
"We have been blessed to have two church partners in the Airdrie and Rocky View areas who have come on board as drop-off locations with us."
According to King, the locations include Kingdom City and Airdrie Christian Academy:
- Kingdom City
1604 Summerfield Blvd SE
Airdrie, Alberta T4B 1C7
November 18 - 24, 2024
Mon. CLOSED
Tues. 9:30am - 6:00pm
Wed. 9:30am - 6:00pm
Thur. 9:30am - 6:00pm
Fri. 9:30am - 5:00pm
Sat. 10:00am - 2:00pm
Sun. 9:00am - 1:30pm
- Airdrie Christian Academy
77 Gateway Dr NE
Airdrie, Alberta T4B 0J6
November 18 - 24, 2024
Mon. 8:00am - 5:00pm
Tues. 8:00am - 5:00pm
Wed. 8:00am - 5:00pm
Thur. 8:00am - 5:00pm
Fri. 8:00am - 4:30pm
Sat. CLOSED
Sun. CLOSED
"If any Airdrie residents don't have time to drop off their shoe boxes during National Collection week, they can still drop them off at our North Calgary processing center right up to the beginning of December."
He explained that the items they look for in the boxes include school supplies, hygiene items and toys.
"for anyone who doesn't have time to pack shoe boxes, they can always go to packabox.ca and pack all their shoe boxes online."
Last year, King provided statistics on how many shoeboxes were donated by Airdrie and surrounding communities:
- Airdrie 2,585
- Calgary 21,324
- Cochrane 543
- High River 747
- Okotoks 1,126
- Strathmore 848
2023 Airdrie numbers were an increase of 26 percent from the 2,041 shoeboxes in 2022.
Last Christmas, Canadian shoeboxes went to Central America.
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