MOOSE JAW — Mary Ellen Willis has been supporting Operation Christmas Child for 15 years and knows how effective the shoeboxes are in lifting the spirits of children and families in third-world countries.
“Kids are grown up now and they got a box when they were two or three (years old) and they can still remember that when they’re 25 years old,” said the program’s Moose Jaw co-ordinator.
“It’s a simple thing … . Our kids take for granted toys and stuff, but a child (in a developing country) maybe never had a real toy,” she continued. “They make themselves something out of rocks and branches and have fun that way. But … to have a real stuffy (thrills them) … .”
Many children also enjoy receiving school supplies, which are vital since they can’t attend classes without the appropriate materials, noted Willis, who has travelled overseas several times to distribute boxes. Furthermore, she once saw a child jump with excitement after receiving two toothbrushes since she had never had a personal one and had to share one at the orphanage.
Based on these experiences, the program co-ordinator says supporting Operation Christmas Child is a worthwhile activity.
Collection week for this year’s Operation Christmas Child occurs from Monday, Nov. 18 to Sunday, Nov. 24, with Moose Jaw Alliance Church and Victory Church as the two locations where people can drop off boxes.
Furthermore, a “packing party” will take place at Twin Lakes Ranch Ministries from Wednesday, Nov. 13 to Sunday, Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Volunteers are needed to pack the shoeboxes, while they don’t need to bring anything aside from their work ethic.
“In the past, we’ve packed well over 1,000 boxes, so we just need lots of hands to pack these boxes for these kids,” Willis said, noting anyone who needs more information or a ride to the ranch can call her at .
During the packing party, volunteers are encouraged to stuff boxes “as God leads you,” to fill the containers as full as possible and have fun doing it. Willis noted that people will be packing school supplies, toys, clothing, hygiene items, stuffies and other items.
“It’s always a dream to get over 1,000 boxes, but it’s more important to get full boxes,” she added.
Twin Lakes Ranch has hosted the packing party for the past five years after Operation Christmas Child outgrew the room it was using at Victory Church, Willis said. The church was a great partner for years and supported the program year-round, but unloading all the supplies proved to be a challenge since volunteers needed five days to pack the shoeboxes.
That is why, she pointed out, having more hands makes the packing process go quickly.
The most important aspect of the program that Willis enjoys is the fact the shoeboxes open the door for children to learn about Jesus Christ and His life through a 12-week Vacation Bible School-like program. The program co-ordinator knows that the program makes a difference in children’s lives based on her trips to developing countries.
Willis encouraged residents to either physically pack a box or go online and pack that way. She also encouraged people to come fill the boxes during the packing parties.
Twin Lakes Ranch Ministries is located north of the Trans-Canada Highway and about one kilometre east of the Battle Creek Adventure Park, or about 20 kilometres (15 minutes) east of Moose Jaw.
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