Operation Christmas Child is looking for your support again this year.

Jim Graham with OCC says the shoe boxes are just waiting for you to pick them at some local churches in High River.

"The United Church, the Baptist Church, the Full Gospel Church and the central pick up area is the Central Alliance Church."

Some schools are also getting involved such as Spitzee, Senator Riley, Cayley and the Highwood High School.  Shoppers Drug Mart in High River also has a display set up with shoe boxes available for pick up.

The progam is looking for you to fill a shoe box with toys and necessities for children around the world. 

Graham says empathy is a great thing to teach our children when giving to others in need.

"We are so fortunate and so blessed in this part of the world that our kids get lots of stuff.  There's a kid on the other side of the world where a ball would be an exciting thing to have.  And I think we need a lot more of that in the world."

Most of the shoe boxes packed and shipped locally go to Central America.

"Nicaragua, Guatamala, Honduras, Costa Rica and as far down as Venezula.  Some will go to Haiti but they will likely not go until a bit later.  Since the biggest needs in Haiti right now are food and water and sanitation and those sorts of things."

Graham says packing toys is important but the bare necessaties are also needed.

"Things like a toothbrush, a bar of soap...we ask no toothpaste.  They've had trouble with toothpaste exploding inside the boxes so keep those kinds of things in mind."

You have the next 2 weeks to pick up a box and get it packed as they need to collect them during the week of November 14-20 so they can get them sent out in time for Christmas.  You can also donate online.

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