Operation Christmas Child warriors go to great lengths to spread smiles overseas.
Vernon residents Sharon Israelson and Darlene Siebert travelled all the way to Calgary to spend three days inspecting the gift-filled shoeboxes before they are transported to children in need in Central America, west Africa, Ukraine and the Philippines.
Israelson, 75, and Siebert, 66, have been involved with Operation Christmas Child for several years as part of a group of five B.C. women making drawstring bags to include in shoeboxes. This year, they made an incredible 2,600 bags. This is their second year inspecting shoeboxes in Calgary; the first was in 2022.
“This processing centre is a wonderful place to be with a lot of great people—and we know these shoeboxes are going to children with God’s love,” said Israelson.
Added Siebert: “I love working in community with people to help children. (During our 2022 visit to the Calgary processing centre), we saw pictures and videos of kids with their boxes and that lit a fire in me to return.”
It’s not too late for Vernon residents to help children in need. Just visit PackaBox.ca and pack Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes year-round, any time of day or night.
