By Brady Bateman

Parkland Ambulance makes a difference with Operation Christmas Child

Oct 29, 2018 | 5:00 PM

Prince Albert’s Parkland Ambulance has begun ramping up operations for the Operation Christmas Child program.

The program, which is organized by Samaritan’s Purse Canada, and Samaritan’s Purse International, is designed to provide gifts during the holiday season to youths in developing areas of the world.

Director of Public Affairs for Parkland Ambulance, Lyle Karasiuk, said the importance of the program is to allow people who have been fortunate enough to live in developed countries to share their good fortune with others around the world who may not have been as fortunate.

“Over 100 countries in the past have received these boxes,” Karasiuk told paNOW. “So they could be going to the Ukraine, to Africa, they could be going to Mexico. You name it and Samaritan’s Purse is most likely sending shoeboxes there.”

According to Karasiuk, almost anything can be used to fill the boxes, with exceptions being liquid and gel products like toothpaste, and any items which could be related to war or conflict as these boxes can often be gifted to children in conflict areas.

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Samaritan’s Purse also asks for $10 to be included in the Christmas shoeboxes which will be used to subsidize the cost of shipping and handling.

Karasiuk also noted that people are being encouraged to use whatever container is available to them around their house for their donations. Adding something like a plastic container for a child or a family in the developing world can become something that can have a large impact and a high number of uses in their daily lives.

The boxes collected by Parkland Ambulance will be gathered after the donation period, at which point they will be sent to the closest distribution centre, in this case Calgary.

“National collection week starts Nov. 12, and runs through until Nov. 17,” Karasiuk said. “During that time anyone can bring their boxes down to us, and we will box them all up and ship them to Calgary. They will then send them off to the developing countries.”

The Operation Christmas Child program began in 1990, and was adopted by Samaritan’s Purse International in 1993. Since the programs introduction more than 157 million children, in over 130 countries received shoeboxes.

Those interested in supplying a shoebox of their own are asked to contact Parkland Ambulance for more details, or check the Samaritan’s Purse website.

Brady.bateman@jpbg.ca

@TheDigitalBirdy