Operation Christmas Child brings gifts to children in need

Carrie Marston
Special to Spur Ottawa

It’s that time of year again. Christmas is coming, which means Operation Christmas Child is in full swing. Started by Samaritan’s Purse, in 1993, the ministry has given 178 million shoeboxes full of gifts to children around the world. Their mission is to bless children who would not normally receive Christmas gifts and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through literature provided in the child’s own language.

For some kids, it’s the only gift they have ever received.

The need to reach these children is still great during the COVID outbreak, but rest assured precautions are being taken. This year, Samaritan’s Purse is encouraging participants to pack a shoebox online. It’s easy: you pick your items, pay for your box and the $10 shipping cost, and you’re all set!

“You can even add a note and photo to your online boxes,” says Frank King, a news relations manager at Samaritan’s Purse. This year, boxes from Canada will travel to western Africa and Central America.

Operation Christmas Child has given 178 million shoeboxes full of gifts to children around the world. Photo courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse.

Here in Ottawa, Jennifer Johnston heads up the local chapter of Operation Christmas Child and coordinates Woodvale Pentecostal Church’s participation. She says there are a few ways people can be involved. One way is to pack a shoebox, either physically or online.

Many churches across the Ottawa area have volunteered as drop-off and pick-up spots for empty and filled boxes. Although Christmas is still seven weeks away, Operation Christmas Child has to collect boxes early so they can check them and ship them to children in struggling areas of the world. Samaritan’s Purse identified November 16 to 22, this year, as national collection week for filled boxes.

For anyone who finishes packing a box early, Sandra Tharakan, the outreach coordinator at the MET, says, “We have a drive and drop option for people to drop off their boxes, every Friday, from 12 to 4 p.m.”

Another way to be involved is volunteering. Operation Christmas Child always needs volunteers for various roles, from checking and processing boxes to logistics and things like church and community relations.

“Prayer is another way to be involved,” Johnston adds. “It is a vital part of what we do.”