Len Hyatt spoke at the Rotary Club of Lloydminster about this year’s Operation Christmas Child and what to pack in a shoebox as gifts to young boys and girls in underprivileged countries in the world. Geoff Lee Meridian Source
The bar is going higher for this year’s Operation Christmas Child drive to fill 2,500 shoeboxes with gifts for young boys and girls in impoverished countries.
Volunteer Len Hyatt, who calls himself the collection centre team lead, spoke about the Samaritan’s Purse program at the Rotary Club of Lloydminster on Monday.
He’s also hoping to top the 2,200 boxes residents filled a year ago and got right to the point with his message.
“We’re going to be talking about how to pack a shoebox and send that shoebox off to children around the world who are less fortunate than we are in Canada,” said Hyatt.
He brought some filled shoeboxes with him emphasizing they need a “wow” item like a soccer ball and a pump as a toy, along with school supplies and non-liquid hygiene items like a bar of soap.
The contents are packaged for boys and girls from four to 14 years of age and include a $10 donation.
“When you see the smile on a kid when they open a box and they’ve never ever had a toy, it’s absolutely mind-blowing,” said Hyatt.
“I have actually distributed a box and packed a box and given it to a child myself.”
He and his wife Shelly have experienced the joy firsthand in Costa Rica as an introductory video about the process conveyed to Rotarians.
The children who receive gifts are also invited to participate in a faith-based discipleship program.
Rotarian Rita Rondeau-Cain urges fellow Rotarians to involve their own kids and grandchildren in what amounts to a feel-good family activity.
“I have four grandchildren and I’m going to get them to fill four boxes. I encourage and challenge you to take part and have your kids share in the joy of giving rather than receiving,” she said.
Shoe boxes are currently available for pickup and drop off at Spiro’s Family Restaurant and Toyota with other points to come.
Southridge Community Church is the main drop-off centre where all boxes will be collected from Nov. 13 to 19 for shipping to the Calgary process centre.
