Thousands of shoe boxes were packed with gifts by residents of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows destined for children in need around the world.
Drop off week for Operation Christmas Child ran from Monday, Nov. 18, until Sunday, Nov. 24, and in that time period volunteers with the organization received 4,090 shoe boxes packed with small toys, school supplies, and personal care products.
"We are grateful for the response of the residents of Ridge Meadows," said local organizer Barb Gustafson, who will be leaving on Thursday, Nov. 28, for Calgary, where all the shoe boxes will be processed before being shipped overseas.
Shoe boxes will be going to children in West Africa, Ukraine, Philippines, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Costa Rica.
"This has been the best year since COVID and eighth best year on record for the total Ridge Meadows count," added Gustafson.
Operation Christmas Child s a project of the international Christian relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse. The boxes are shipped to children in need in developing countries affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease, worldwide. Distributions also occur in Aboriginal and Inuit communities in North America.
Last year people throughout Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows managed to pack 5,302 shoe boxes.
Across Canada last year, 425,209 shoe boxes were collected.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million gift-filled shoe boxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.
