With the holidays right around the corner, Operation Christmas Child’s 2016 donation drive has entered its final days.
Flin Flon is again part of the international campaign, which collects necessities and gifts to send to children in developing countries.
“It really is something that builds over the week,” said Jim Galbraith, pastor at the First Baptist Church and leader of this year’s local Operation Christmas Child campaign. “Last year, we had over 300 boxes we sent. Most of those came in toward the end of the week.”
Program donors pack shoeboxes full of needed supplies and gifts, such as clothing, toiletries and small toys. The boxes are then shipped to developing countries.
“The general range is Central/South America, there’s a few countries there, definitely some nations in Africa and there’s a few countries in Asia as well,” said Galbraith.
In recent years, the program has also shipped donations to Ukraine, a war-torn country that shares deep cultural ties with Canada.
“I like that we’re sending some boxes we do to Ukraine because there’s a similar climate,” said Galbraith. “We’ll pack up some toques and jackets and stuff like that.”
Along with volunteers, Galbraith is prepared pack boxes and supplies into the night on Sunday, the campaign’s final collection day this year.
“They all have to be in by Sunday,” said Galbraith. “We’re keeping the church open from 9 am to 9 pm this Sunday to get the last boxes from anyone who can finish one up and bring it. We go until we run out of boxes to pack or things to put in them. At 7 o’clock, we’ll have a send-off party. We watch some video clips, pray for the boxes and send them on their way.”
While the campaign tends to draw support from individuals and families, Galbraith has also reached out to local businesses this year with great success.
“I sent out letters to businesses that would have the kind of goods that we’d be packing in the boxes,” he said. “We got pretty good involvement that way, it was worth sending the letters out.”
At least four local businesses have contributed, including one that donated boxes full of soap and toiletries.
“These sort of things are really, really cool to see,” said Galbraith. “I’ve really enjoyed the participation of the community this year.”
Residents can drop off donations at the First Baptist Church, located in the lower level of the First United Lutheran Church on Second Avenue, from 1 to 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 9 am to 9 pm on Sunday.
Donations will be sent from Flin Flon to a collection depot in Calgary, and then distributed around the world.
