Elementary School students in Lloydminster have pitched in on this year’s Operation Christmas Child.
Jack Kemp, Father Gorman and other elementary schools city-wide have participated in the annual fundraiser, in which gift-filled shoe boxes are sent to children in third-world countries.
Jack Kemp School’s Targeted Skills Teacher Denise Block says children at her school enjoy doing the fundraiser.
“Initially I think they’re a little apprehensive, because they’re not really quite sure [of] what the response is going to be,” Block said. “But there’s always a sense of excitement when this time comes around, because they see the boxes coming in, they see how full they are. Some classrooms filled seven shoe boxes, which is phenomenal. In tough economic times, people still have a generous spirit, and they are still giving to others in need, so that’s really powerful.”
Volunteer team member with Samaritan’s Purse Ken Hastings says he loves seen the children get involved.
“It’s exciting for me because it gives the message that children can make a difference,” Hastings said. “Children impacting other children. That’s what we just saw here, [with] the shoe boxes coming down from each classroom. A shoe box is a simple thing, but a child, a family, a whole classroom can do it little by little, and that gift makes an incredible difference on the receiving end for that child.”
Jack Kemp School packed 59 shoe boxes, while Father Gorman School filled 130.
The fundraiser is entering its final phase, as pickup week happens from November 16 to 21.
Anyone wishing to fill a shoe box can get one at Your Dollar Store with More, Verses, Dollar Tree, Safeway, and Southridge Community Church. Full shoe boxes can be dropped off at Verses, Safeway, and Southridge Community Church.