Canadians have around two weeks left to donate to this year's Operation Christmas Child shoebox, before donations are collected as part of National Collection Week Nov. 18-24.
Operation Christmas Child is an annual initiative hosted by the Canadian Christian relief and development organization Samaritans' Purse, in partnership with nine other countries.
The program invites residents to fill a shoebox-sized container with toys, school supplies and hygiene items, for children living in poverty, disease, war, and natural disaster around the world.
The package is then shipped to deserving children for the service charge of $10, to cover shipping and program expenses.
Residents can participate by purchasing a box in-person and dropping it off at a local collection centre, or filling a box online at PackABox.ca.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and distributed more than 167 million shoebox gifts in over 100 countries. Last year, more than 517,000 shoeboxes were delivered to children in West Africa and Central America.
"Shoeboxes are given as unconditional gifts regardless of the child’s race, religion, or gender," said a press release issued by Operation Christmas Child.
"When given, they often open doors for Samaritan’s Purse to work with community leaders in identifying and addressing important needs such as clean water, literacy, vocational training for women, school meals for children, etc."
Operation Chistmas Child shoebox drop-off locations in the Sudbury region:
MineWise Technology Ltd., 727 Lorne St., Sudbury
- Nov. 18-21 9:00am - 6:00pm
- Nov. 22 9:00am - 7:00pm
- Nov. 23-24 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Valleyview Community Church, 2891 Martin Rd., Blezard Valley
- Nov. 18-21 CLOSED
- Nov. 22 9:00am - 7:00pm
- Nov. 23 9:00am - 11:30am
- Nov. 24 CLOSED
Please be advised that these locations may or may not have empty shoeboxes that people can pick up. Alternatively, participants can use their own shoebox or buy a clear plastic box.
The $10 service charge will be requested at the time of drop-off to cover shipping and program costs.
