Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the message of God's unconditional love. It provides an opportunity for people of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands on project of Samaritan's Purse that focuses on the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus Christ - God's greatest gift of all.

Operation Christmas Child was started in 1990 by David Cooke, a Welshman who felt moved to deliver gifts to Romanian orphans after seeing their living circumstances on television. In 1993, Operation Christmas Child grew and was adopted by Samaritan's Purse, a Christian organization run by Franklin Graham.

To date, Operation Christmas Child has collected and distributed over 86 million shoe boxes worldwide.

Join us:

• in celebrating the 640,714 shoe boxes collected in Canada in the 2010 season
• in packing even more shoe boxes that will bless children around the world in the 2011 season

Make a difference - pack a shoe box!!! Shoe boxes packed with gifts, wrapped in prayer, and sent with God's love are bringing joy and hope to children in some of the most desperate situations on earth.

Pain and suffering are put aside as they open the boxes and discover the wonders inside - dolls and balls, crayons and colouring books, toothbrushes and socks, treasures of every kind. For most, these are the first gifts they have ever received.

The 2011 National Collection Week is November 21st-27th!

St. Andrew's Church has always been a strong supporter of Operation Christmas Child. And as Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." The true meaning of Christmas shines through this project.