An international relief organization is looking for Tri-Cities residents to fill up a shoebox with gifts for kids that will be distributed to struggling children in other countries.
Operation Christmas Child, run by Samaritan’s Purse, is seeking shoeboxes full of toys, school supplies, hygiene items, notes and photos, along with a $10-per-box donation to cover shipping and other costs for children “living in the midst of poverty, disease, war and natural disaster,” according to a press release from the Christian organization whose Canadian headquarters are in Calgary and is connected to the Billy Graham Evangelical Association.
The release said the drive has been going on internationally since 1993, with more than 167 million shoeboxes, including 517,000 to West Africa and Central America last year.
In the Tri-Cities, the shoeboxes will be collected next week at two locations. They can be dropped off at the La-Z-Boy Furniture Gallery, 1338 United Blvd., Coquitlam, Monday to Wednesday (Nov. 18 to 20) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. They are also being accepted at TriCity Church, 2145 Nova Scotia Ave., in Port Coquitlam on Wednesday, Nov. 20 (2 to 4 p.m), Thursday (4 to 8 p.m.), Friday (2 to 6 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.).
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