BARRHEAD - Derra Mantey is not sure how many more years Barrhead's Operation Christmas Child (OCC) will continue to break records.
Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a project run by Samaritan's Purse Canada, a non-denominational evangelical Christian organization founded in 1970. It delivers shoeboxes of Christmas gifts to needy children worldwide.
Last year, OCC collected 1,216 shoe boxes, setting a new record.
"It is the fifth straight year that we've set a new record," she said. "And that number doesn't include the number of shoeboxes people have donated online through Samaritan's Purse website [www.packabox.ca]."
Mantey and her husband Herb have been organizing Barrhead's OCC effort since 2001 when they filled their first shoebox (an oversized workboot box) following the terror attacks in the U.S.
The Manteys, as a family, were looking for a way to help the citizens of Afghanistan, especially children, following the military action in the country led by the U.S. but included nations such as Britain, Germany and Canada.
However, Mantey noted Barrhead's effort predates their involvement going back to when Barrhead Leader publisher Al Blackmere brought the program to the community in 1995.
"This year marks Operation Christmas Child's 31st year in Barrhead," Mantey said.
This year, shoeboxes from Canada will be going to Central American countries, Ukraine, the Philippines, West Africa and, for the first time, the Republic of Cape Verde.
As for what can go into a shoebox, OCC recommends toys and other small gifts, such as dolls, soccer balls (with needle and pump), stuffed animals, and musical instruments. Other popular items include school supplies, pens, crayons, notebooks, and colouring books. Clothing, such as T-shirts and socks, and personal hygiene items, like toothbrushes, hairbrushes, and combs, are also welcome.
Mantey said she likes removing much of the packaging to get more items in her shoebox and reduce the amount of garbage and recycling on the other end.
She also suggests people put personal hygiene items, such as bar soap, in plastic baggies so the children have a place to store them after use.
Mantey said they also encourage people to include handmade craft items, adding that for several years, Barrhead's Stitchers and Rippers, Hillcrest's Knitting Club and other crafters have donated handmade items such as
T-shirts, dresses, woollen and cloth dolls, drawstring bags, and winter apparel, such as scarves, toques, and mittens, are added to area shoeboxes.
Barrhead's OCC effort started including the winter items several years ago in 2015, Samaritan's Purse asked Canadians to donate an additional 20,000 shoe boxes for the children of Eastern Ukraine.
Restricted items include foodstuffs such as hard candy, playing cards, poker chips, and anything that could leak or melt, including toothpaste and shampoo. War toys are also not allowed.
She said if someone mistakenly packs a prohibited item, volunteers during the packing party remove the items and, if appropriate, donate them to other area charity efforts, such as Barrhead and District Family Community Support Services Santa's Toy Box program.
The shoebox effort is currently in full swing. For those who have not done so yet, OCC shoeboxes are available at Barb's Sewing and Fabrics and Everyday Values on Main Street.
Once filled, shoeboxes can be dropped off at the above locations from Monday, Nov. 18, to Saturday, Nov. 22, during regular business hours. People can also drop off their shoeboxes at the Barrhead Alliance Church (5309-43 Street) from Tuesday, Nov. 19, to Saturday, Nov. 23, from 9 a.m. to noon. People are also asked to include a $12 donation at the top of the shoebox for shipping costs.
Mantey noted that the church is hosting a shoebox packing party on Nov. 23, beginning at 6:30 p.m., to prepare the shoeboxes for shipping.
For more information about the Barrhead OCC effort or to donate knitted or other homemade items, contact Derra or Herb Mantey at 780-674-4630 or 780-305-6268.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
