Canada’s 2019 Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection season is underway, as thousands of individuals, families, churches, businesses, sports teams and community groups are packing shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and hygiene items, plus personal notes and photos.
Thanks to all the items that Canadians put in their shoeboxes and the $10-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.
Last year, Canadians filled more than 517,000 shoeboxes with gifts for children in West Africa and Central America.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and distributed more than 167 million shoebox gifts in over 100 countries.
Shoeboxes are given as unconditional gifts regardless of the child’s race, religion or gender. When given, they often open doors for Samaritan’s Purse to work with community leaders in identifying and addressing important needs, including clean water, literacy, vocational training for women and school meals for children.
Each gift-filled shoebox packed, donated and delivered to one of hundreds of collection centers throughout Canada by Nov. 24, will make a long journey into the arms of a child in need. People can also pack boxes online at PackABox.ca.
Operation Christmas Child is an annual initiative of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization that works in more than 100 countries. Visit SamaritansPurse.ca for more information.
Operation Christmas Child shoebox drop-off locations in P.E.I.:
Charlottetown locations:
KKP (Kwik Kopy), 91 Euston St.:
- Nov. 18-22, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 23-24, Closed
Provincial Credit Union, 281 University Ave.:
- Nov. 18-21, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 22, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Nov. 23, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Nov. 24, closed
Proude's Shoes, 161 St Peter's Rd.:
- Nov. 18-20, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Nov. 21-22, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
- Nov. 24, closed
Grace Baptist Church, 50 Kirkdale Rd.:
- Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Nov. 19, closed
- Nov. 20, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 21, closed
- Nov. 22, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 23, 12-5 p.m.
- Nov. 24, closed
Summerside locations:
Church of the Nazarene, 156 Fitzroy St.:
- Nov. 18-19, closed
- Nov. 20, 2-6 p.m.
- Nov. 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Nov. 22, 4-7 p.m.
- Nov. 23, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Nov. 24, closed
O'Leary location:
O'Leary Baptist Church, 473 Main St.,
- Nov. 18, closed
- Nov. 19, 2-6 p.m.
- Nov. 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Nov. 21, closed
- Nov. 22, 12-7 p.m.
- Nov. 23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Nov. 24, closed
Elmsdale location:
Church of the Nazarene, 952 Dock Rd.:
- Nov. 18, closed
- Nov. 19-20, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 21, closed
- Nov. 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 23-24, closed
Alberton location:
Alberton Baptist Church, 327 Church St.:
- Nov. 18-19, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 20, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Nov. 21, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Nov. 22, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Nov. 24, closed
Montague location:
Church of Christ, 513 Main St.:
- Nov. 18-20, closed
- Nov. 21, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Nov. 22, 5-8 p.m.
- Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Nov. 24, closed
These locations might have empty shoeboxes that people can pick up and fill, but there is no guarantee.
Readers of The Guardian and Journal Pioneer can use their own shoeboxes, or buy clear plastic boxes and fill them.
