Giving back through Operation Christmas Child

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This article was published 13/11/2020 (1711 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Combine the region’s traditional thriftiness and generosity and you end up with a one of a kind way to make donations go even further in Operation Christmas Child.

Ina Reimer leads the push at Landmark Christian Fellowship to have shoeboxes filled as part of the annual initiative of Samaritan’s Purse.

But it’s not just a place where people can drop off filled shoeboxes, although that is part of what they do. Instead they purchase items year-round that people can buy at cost to fill shoeboxes from a market setting.

“We try as much as possible to make it a Christmas atmosphere that people will enjoy coming to put their shoeboxes together in a bit of a slow year,” she said.

Last year Canadians filled more than 490,000 shoeboxes with gifts, with a stated goal of sharing God’s love and hope with struggling children in West Africa and Central America.

Reimer has been involved for many of the years the initiative has taken place. It began in 1993 and has distributed more than 177 million shoebox gifts in over 100 countries.

Reimer said it’s more than just one season for her.

“Throughout the year when things come on sale, I’m purchasing,” she said.

Landmark Christian Fellowship provides the space, but Reimer said there’s people from many more churches involved.

“We run this with community volunteers from the surrounding areas,” she said. “Our goal is to help people create boxes, boxes they have received empty to fill from other locations. They may take them back to their locations or leave them with us.”

This year’s event doesn’t look quite the same as usual. Reimer said they had to move from the church sanctuary to the lower auditorium. They still hand out cookies as parting gifts but had to get rid of the traditional cider in order to ensure masks stay in place.

They’ve also added debit availability and e-transfers and are willing to put boxes together for those who would appreciate that service.

“We have many willing helpers ready to put boxes together,” she said.

In a typical year about 1,500 boxes come out of their location.

“We certainly know the need for shoeboxes is greater than ever before,” she said.

Reimer has seen the impact shoeboxes can make, after touring areas in Costa Rica near the Nicaraguan border. She said they’re often the first help to an area in need as those deliver boxes follow up by addressing other needs.

When given, the shoeboxes open doors for Samaritan’s Purse to work with community leaders in identifying and addressing important needs such as clean water, literacy, vocational training for women, school meals for children and more.

“It leads to further work in the area,” she said.

Shoeboxes are filled with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, plus personal notes and photos.

Randy Crosson, director of Operation Christmas Child, said the boxes are about more than their contents.

“Every shoebox gift is an opportunity to share God’s love with so many searching for hope,” he said. “These simple gifts are a tangible way to remind children that they are not alone or forgotten.”

Shoeboxes in the Steinbach region can be dropped off at Landmark Christian Fellowship (call Lori at 204-355-4272 or email landmarkshoeboxdrive@gmail.com), Blumenort Evangelical Mennonite Church, and Grunthal Bergthaler Mennonite Church.

Drop-off hours vary with Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week taking place from Nov. 16-22.