Every year for over twenty years, Weyburn and surrounding area residents have taken part in Operation Christmas Child.

"Operation Christmas is one of the projects of Samaritans Purse," explains Bev Alexander, Weyburn's Coordinator, Operation Christmas Child.

"You pack gifts into a shoebox whether it be one of the Operation Christmas Child red and green boxes or just a shoe box or a good plastic container, with gifts that a kid would appreciate."

Alexander said that as well as putting in age-appropriate toys, adding school supplies is very important because it can mean the difference between children being able to go to school and not able to go to school.

Children that receive the boxes are the ones that live in third and fourth world countries and areas affected by a crisis such as weather-related crisis or war, around the world.

"Just to bring a little joy into their lives where in many cases there isn't much."

Ukraine, Chile, Mexico, Nicaragua are some of the countries included in the distribution.

Alexander explained that she got involved in the program over 22 years ago.

"The first time I really saw anything about it was in a Billy Graham magazine."

She was intrigued at how something so simple could give so much joy to people who don't have much if anything at all.

Weyburn and Area donate on average between 1500 - 1800 boxes coming from as far as Midale, Carlyle, Filmore and "around that area."

"There are two or three places around town where the Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes are available. The Coop food store, the Wholesale store and Elite Kitchens have boxes that can be picked up."

The brochures which help give an idea of what can and cannot be donated are also available at the stores mentioned.

"The boxes go to Calgary where they are all checked."

Some Weyburn residents are going to Calgary to help with the checking of the boxes.

This year the suggested payment of $10 per box is an increase from $7 of previous years.

"It's a fun thing to involve your kids and grandkids with to help them to realize that there are kids way less fortunate than themselves," added Alexander.

The distribution of the boxes normally happens in late January and February with one youth trip after Christmas. Application information for distribution trips can be found here.

Alexander has been on four distribution trips. She has been to Mexico twice, once to Nicaragua and once to Chile.

"That's when you really get to their parents who realize that even though they are living in some tough situations, that someone is thinking of them and trying to make their lives a little better."

Alexander also talked about the reactions of the children to the boxes they receive.

She explained how there are giggles, screams of excitement and some children it can be overwhelming as they can't believe that someone would be doing something like this for them.

"For most of those kids, they have never had something that's totally theirs."

"A little girl got a pair of shoes which meant that she was able to go to school."

"It's a great experience to see on the other end, what we do here to be able to see it when it gets into the hands of the boys and girls."

The deadline for the shoeboxes to be collected at Weyburn's collection center, Weyburn Free Methodist Church, on the corner of 14th and Coteau Ave. is November 19th, at 3 pm.

The church building will be open most of the coming week during the day as well as between 6 pm - 8:30 pm, to allow for those that work during the day to be able to drop off the shoe boxes.

Alexander also offers to help people who need it to get shoeboxes packed and can be contacted at 306-861-1243.