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Christmas shoeboxes

Christmas Love from Nakusp to needy third world countries
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Gift boxes created by Nakusp families waiting to start their journey overseas.

Trisha Shanks

Arrow Lakes News

One way to brighten the holiday season for needy children in third world countries is to pick up a free shoebox at the Nakusp General Store and to fill it with much needed items. Operation Christmas Child is run globally by Samaritan’s Purse and was brought to Nakusp by Ken and Eileen Alton, who used to own the store and continue to stay very involved with the program.

Val Scott, who works at the store, said, “We really like being able to help out in all ways that we can. It makes our hearts feel good.”

Boxes can be packed using new items from any retailer, and can include small toys, hygiene items such as toothbrushes. However, because of customs regulations, do not include toothpaste or other creams and liquids. For a full list of what should and shouldn’t go into the boxes, see the instructions provided with the boxes or visit www.samaritanspurse.ca.

“Parents and kids can enjoy doing this together,” says Scott. “It makes the children realize that they don’t need as much as they think they do.”

Boxes must be dropped off back to the General Store by November 25 so that they can begin their journey to Haiti and South America, the two recipient destinations chosen this year. Boxes are free, however they do ask for a small donation to be included in the box to help with shipping.

YES:

Stretchy gloves

• Flashlights

• School supplies

• Little toys like balls

• Facecloth, comb, toothbrush

• Stuffed animals,

• T-shirts

• Loose,individually wrapped

hard candy in sealable bag-

• Personal note or photo

 

 

NO:

playing cards (children’s

game cards are ok)

• chewy, crumbly or soft candy

including gum

• creams, pastes, liquids can

damage other items in the

box

• mirrors, glass or sharp items

• used items

• scary items

• toy weapons