Organizers in the region of Operation Christmas Child want you to know the shoeboxes are a go this year, and now is the time for churches, retailers, and schools to head online to order supplies.

Operation Christmas Child offers us a chance to give school supplies, shoes, toys, and hygiene products to children in third world countries who have likely never have received a Christmas present in their lives.

Boys and girls of specified age groups can be delighted by a gift you put together just for them, sometimes enriching their play, but oftentimes even changing their lives forever.

"The shoeboxes for larger groups, and churches, schools can already be ordered online at Samaritans Purse-dot-ca, in the Operation Christmas Child area order your shoebox supplies," said Jillian Ursu, Drop-Off Team Lead for Estevan and Area.

She said they can be sent for free wherever needed.

"If you want them sent to your church that's fine," she shared. "If you want them sent directly to your home, and from there you can do that as well."

Individuals can usually find a local retail location to get their shoebox supplies. And, of course, you can use a shoebox aquired from a pair you bought, or even a pair of boots, simply because they hold more supplies. If you want, you can even wrap the shoebox in gift wrap, but remember, you have to ensure it can still be opened for inspection, so if you've packed it full to the brim, don't tape it. Instead, use elastics to keep it closed.

"Our local collection centre is the Estevan Alliance Church so that's where people can pick up shoebox supplies they're in the church office individuals," she shared. "They're just inside the church office as of right now, so they can come in and grab shoeboxes and pamphlets for individuals."

For those packing boxes this year, there are no changes of note.

"The restrictions are going to be the same, no candy, nothing liquid that could freeze and make a big mess in the shoebox. No toothpaste," said Ursu. "The regular things occuring in the last few years are still the same."

She said this being 2020, you could add a mask to the gift, if you want to, but still, no hand sanitizer can be put into the shoeboxes. Packing can be consistent with how it has been in years past due to how long the items sit in the box prior to delivery.

"We just need to get the word out that it is still occuring this year, and that people can be packing shoeboxes," Ursu noted.

"You can also pack a shoebox online, or a lot them, if you'd like."

She said if you don't want to even pack a shoebox, you can also simply donate to the program.

The only thing that will look different this year, Ursu said, is that the drop-off will be non-contact.

Drop off is usually mid-November, so now is the time to ensure you get your supplies. Get more information and order online at samaritanspurse.ca.