Okanagan residents are invited to send some cheer to children in need around the world.
Canada91裸聊视频檚 2024 Operation Christmas Child shoebox collection season is underway. Individuals, families, churches, businesses, sports teams, and community groups are now packing shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items, plus personal notes and photos, to be delivered to children in need around the world.
Operation Christmas Child is an annual initiative of Samaritan91裸聊视频檚 Purse, an international Christian relief organization that works in more than 100 countries. Last year, British Columbia delivered 53,945 shoeboxes, a three per cent increase over the year prior, to struggling children in West Africa, Central America, Ukraine and Philippines.
In the Okanagan, Penticton delivered 2,667 boxes, Kelowna packed 2,575, Vernon sent 1,647 and Kamloops made up 1,128.
Thanks to the items that Canadians lovingly put in their shoeboxes, and the $12-per-box they donate to cover shipping and other program costs, Samaritan91裸聊视频檚 Purse is able to deliver the boxes to children around the world living in the midst of poverty, disease, war, and natural disaster.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and distributed more than 220 million shoebox gifts in more than 130 countries.
91裸聊视频淪truggling children and families need hope,91裸聊视频� said Kendra Shields, director of Operation Christmas Child. 91裸聊视频淭his is the essence of Operation Christmas Child. Every shoebox gift is an opportunity for a child to learn that he or she matters to Canadians and, most importantly, matters to God. That91裸聊视频檚 why I want everyone to help as many children in need as possible by packing shoeboxes.91裸聊视频�
National Shoebox Collection Week is Nov. 18-24 at the following locations (you can also pack boxes online at ):
Vernon Alliance Church 2601 43rd Ave.
Monday 11 - 1
Tuesday 10-1
Wednesday 10-1
Thursday 12-4
Friday 9-12
Saturday 3-6
Sunday 12-4
Grace Bible Church 5661 Silver Star Rd. Vernon
Closed Monday and Thursday
Tuesday 10-12
Wednesday 3-6
Friday 11-1
Saturday 11-2
Sunday 11-12:30
Lake Country Alliance Church 12025 Oceola Rd.
Closed Monday and Saturday
Tuesday 9-4
Wednesday 9-4
Thursday 9-4
Friday 9-4
Sunday 10-2
Kelowna Christian Reformed Church 239 Snowsell St.
Closed Monday
Tuesday 12-1
Wednesday 1-3
Thursday 4-5
Friday 5-6
Saturday 3-4
Sunday 12-3
The Embassy Church 410 Leathead Rd. Kelowna
Monday 3-6
Tuesday 3-6
Wednesday 3-6
Thursday 3-6
Friday 3-6
Saturday 10-1
Closed Sunday
The Bridge Full Gospel Church 2100 Gordon Dr. Kelowna
Monday 10-2
Tuesday 2-6
Wednesday 10-7
Thursday 2-6
Friday 2-6
Closed Saturday
Sunday 10-3
Penticton Alliance Church 197 Brandon Ave.
Monday 3-7
Tuesday 11-4
Wednesday 3-7
Thursday 11-4
Closed Friday
Saturday 10-2
Sunday 1-4
Summit Drive Baptist Church 1975 Summit Dr. Kamloops
Monday 3-6
Tuesday 3-6
Closed Wednesday
Thursday 3-6
Friday 3-6
Saturday 1-3
Sunday 1-3
Kamloops Full Gospel Church 1550 Tranquille Rd.
Monday 10-8
Tuesday 10-5
Wednesday 10-5
Thursday 10-8
Friday 10-8
Saturday 10-5
Sunday 12-4