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Volunteer at our Operation Christmas Child Calgary Processing Center
Want to help put the finishing touches on shoebox gifts for children around the world? You can play a vital role in reaching boys and girls across the globe with the true meaning of Christmas—the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thank You!

Shoebox processing for the 2020 season is now complete! Thanks to all of our volunteers and shoebox packers for making this shoebox season a success.

Get Involved

It’s not too late to pack shoeboxes online and share God’s love with a hurting child overseas, without even leaving your home.

We also have year-round opportunities for volunteers to serve in a variety of unique roles. Click here to learn more about these opportunities.

Volunteer at the Calgary Processing Center

Millions of shoeboxes are collected during National Collection Week in November. Before these special gifts can bring hope and joy to children around the world, each one has to be carefully inspected and made ready for overseas shipment by volunteers like you. During late November to mid-December you can help prepare shoeboxes for delivery by volunteering at a processing center.

We have opportunities at the Calgary processing center for volunteer groups of all sizes. You can volunteer as an individual or with family and friends.

Processing center volunteer opportunities are restricted to those 14 and older. One chaperone for every five youth (ages 14-17) is required. The primary responsibility of a chaperone is to ensure the safety and appropriate behavior of youth volunteers.

COVID-19 Precautions

Through the guidance and recommendations of Alberta Health Services, Samaritans Purse is committed to do all we can to keep our staff and volunteers safe while they are in our building. Below is the list of safety measures that have been put in place and will be enforced on our premises.

  • Volunteers will be required to wear masks and use hand sanitizer.
  • Samaritan’s Purse will provide masks and optional gloves if an individual does not have their own, for all staff and volunteers who serve in a processing center.
  • Hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the facilities.
  • The temperature of all volunteers will be checked upon arrival and staff temperatures will be monitored daily as well.
  • Designated staff will clean and sanitize the properties frequently.
  • Our newly-developed processing procedures will allow volunteers and staff to physical distance while serving with those from other groups.
  • If changes to your schedule are required due to local COVID-19 conditions, we will communicate as quickly and thoroughly as possible through email.

Processing Center Dates

Registration to serve in our Calgary processing center in November and December 2021 will begin in October and last throughout the processing season.

If you have any questions regarding processing center volunteer opportunities, do not hesitate to contact us at occ@samaritan.ca.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We have opportunities for volunteer groups of all sizes. You can volunteer as an individual or with family and friends.

At our Operation Christmas Child processing center in Calgary, you will work with hundreds of other volunteers to inspect shoeboxes and ensure that the contents are appropriate for children and meet customs regulations.

Learn how to pack a shoebox, and bring your gift-filled shoeboxes with you when you come to your shift! You can also pack shoeboxes online at PackaBox.ca.

Volunteer Opportunities

Calgary Processing Center – Year Round Volunteer Projects

In the Calgary processing center we have year-round special volunteer projects like Pack A Box and Material Distribution (preparing all the promotional materials to go out in the fall). If you would like to learn more or be notified of upcoming volunteer opportunities in Calgary, please call 403-250-6565 or email occ@samaritan.ca.

⇣Download Short-Term Volunteer Release Form

Year-Round Volunteering

We also have year-round opportunities for volunteers to serve in a variety of unique roles. Click here to learn more about these opportunities.

Ontario Processing Center Closure Update

Every time a shoebox gift arrives in the hands of a child, the hands of thousands of volunteers—including yours—have made it possible. We deeply value your involvement, which is why we want to give you an important Operation Christmas Child update about the Ontario processing center.


Frequently Asked Questions

Before you serve, check out our COVID-19 landing page to see the precautions Operation Christmas Child is taking to help protect the health of our volunteers.

What are the roles at a processing center?

Every volunteer in the processing center plays an important role in the ministry of Operation Christmas Child, ensuring the integrity and successful delivery of the gifts. Volunteers in the processing center form teams and perform all the tasks necessary to process the shoeboxes.

Teams are responsible for removing financial contributions from the shoeboxes, inspecting the gifts, sorting inappropriate items, working with filler items, separating boxes by age and gender, and packing shoeboxes in designated cartons.

Due to the fast-paced environment of the warehouse and changing needs, you may be asked to do different tasks. We appreciate your flexibility.

Are there employment opportunities?

Yes, we recruit staff to help coach volunteers in the processing center beginning in late August. In the summer, check our employment page to see what opportunities exist for the Calgary processing center location.

What are the dates of operation?

The processing center is open late November to mid-December to prepare shoebox gifts for international shipping.

Registration to serve in a processing center in November and December 2021 will begin in early October and last throughout the processing season.

Our exact completion day is not always predictable; it is determined by the number of shoebox gifts received and the rate of processing.

Can any age volunteer?

Processing center volunteer opportunities are restricted to those 14 and older. One chaperone for every five youth (ages 14-17) is required. The primary responsibility of a chaperone is to ensure the safety and appropriate behavior of youth volunteers. Processing center staff reserve the right to ask any group not acting in accordance with safety procedures and outlined policies to leave the building.

How can my under 14-year old child participate in Operation Christmas Child?

Packing a shoebox or hosting a shoebox packing party with their friends is an excellent way to be involved in Operation Christmas Child.

Processing center tours during processing season are suspended for 2020 due to COVID-19 distancing protocols.

What is the address of the processing center?

The processing center is at 20 Hopewell Way NE, Calgary, Alberta, T3J 5H5.

What should I wear to the processing center?

The processing center is in a warehouse, so please make proper provisions to be comfortably and appropriately dressed for this environment. Be prepared with closed-toe shoes appropriate for standing for long periods, and warm, layered, casual clothes as the temperature inside can vary. Breaks are available as needed.

What if the day I’d like to serve is full?

A volunteer coordinator can add you to the waiting list for your preferred time; if and when space opens up, we will contact you:

Email occvolunteerab@samaritan.ca for shifts in the Calgary processing center.

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is a hands-on project that brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes packed by Canadians. It is one way to remind children suffering as a result of war, poverty, famine, disease, and disaster that they are loved and not forgotten.

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Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse.
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Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse.
Pack a Shoebox
How to Pack a Shoebox
What to Pack in a Shoebox

Pack a Shoebox Online
About
Mission & History
The Journey of a Shoebox
To the Ends of the Earth

Evangelism & Discipleship
The Greatest Journey

Latest Stories
Videos

Frequently Asked Questions
Resources
Project Leaders
Family (& Children)
Translated Materials

Videos
Tips for Packing Parties
Year-Round Packing Ideas

View All Resources
Get Involved
Pack a Shoebox
Lead Your Church or Group
Volunteer
Become a Drop-off Location
Pray for Operation Christmas Child

Ways to Give
Mission Trip Projects
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Samaritan's Purse Canada
20 Hopewell Way NE
Calgary, Alberta, T3J 5H5
1-800-663-6500

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STAY IN THE KNOW!

Join our email subscriber list and get exclusive updates about how God is working through Samaritan’s Purse, thanks to supporters like you.

Be the first to read and see our stories from the field. Lives are being changed every day! Learn how you can pray and contribute to what we’re doing. Hear about volunteer opportunities, mission trips and other ways you can get involved. Sign up here:

Count me in  

Don't worry, we hate spam as much as you do. We will never sell or share your email address.

STAY IN THE KNOW!

Join our email subscriber list and get exclusive updates about how God is working through Samaritan’s Purse, thanks to supporters like you.

Be the first to read and see our stories from the field. Lives are being changed every day! Learn how you can pray and contribute to what we’re doing. Hear about volunteer opportunities, mission trips and other ways you can get involved. Sign up here:

Count me in

Don’t worry, we hate spam as much as you do. We will never sell or share your email address.

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