U of S : Communications : OCN : Oct 31, 1997

Operation Christmas Child hopes to send 200,000 shoe box gifts

If the idea of sending a gift to a child living in a poverty-ravaged country appeals to you, consider participating in Operation Christmas Child.

Now in its sixth year of operation, the international program involves the sending of a shoe box full of such things as toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and clothing items to children who otherwise would not know the joy of receiving such gifts.

Run by the Christian organization Samaritan's Purse (and headed by Billy Graham's son Franklin Graham), Operation Christmas Child last year delivered about 1,000,000 shoe box gifts around the world, about 162,000 of these coming from Canada. The goal for the Canadian arm of Samaritan's Purse this Christmas is 200,000.

Last year, more than 1,500 churches, 550 schools, 150 businesses, and hundreds of Canadian families participated in sending boxes to 36 countries worldwide. Donors are asked to include a $5 cheque for shipping and distribution costs.

Operation Christmas Child accepts the boxed gifts at more than 160 collection centres across Canada or at all Safeway stores, where unfolded shoe boxes are also available at no charge.

This year's deadline: November 21.

For more information on all aspects of Operation Christmas Child, call 1-800-303-1269.


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