Ukraine Shoeboxes

For five years we have had the special opportunity to send Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts from Canada to children in Ukraine. We began this effort in 2014 to respond to the conflict that broke out in the country that year. Before that time, the United States sent all shoebox gifts received in Ukraine. However, in 2014, there was a need and opportunity for Canada to join the United States to provide additional shoebox gifts for children caught in the war zone or having to flee their homes.

Our effort started as a one year initiative that grew into a five year project. In this time, we have sent more than 100,000 shoebox gifts to Ukraine. Each gift has been a precious expression of God’s love to a child, and a Gospel Opportunity that opens doors for evangelism, discipleship, and multiplication even in the most difficult of circumstances.

It has been a blessing for Operation Christmas Child Canada to be a part of this work in Ukraine, but now, in 2019, it is time for us to complete our work in the country. Ukraine will continue to receive shoebox gifts from the United States, as it has for years, but shoeboxes collected in Canada in 2019 will not be sent to Ukraine. This will allow us, as Operation Christmas Child Canada, to continue to focus our efforts, and shoeboxes, in the regions entrusted to us—West Coast Africa and Central America.

It is with some sadness that we complete our efforts to send Canadian-packed shoeboxes to Ukraine, but it is also with thanksgiving. We completed what we set out to do. God gave us over 100,000 opportunities to bring comfort and the Good News of Jesus to children caught in a war. While our role is complete, this work will continue. We thank God for every person who took up this initiative with passion and compassion. The generosity of Canadians has been exceptional. The impact will ripple through generations and last for eternity.

Please continue to pack shoeboxes. The need and the opportunity to reach children with the Gospel continues to be great. If you have any questions about Canadian-packed shoebox gifts in Ukraine, please don’t hesitate to contact us at occ@samaritan.ca.

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Greyhound Update

For many years, Samaritan’s Purse has been blessed by our partnership with Greyhound Canada. The company has helped us transport tens of thousands of Operation Christmas Child gift-filled shoeboxes, packed by generous people like you, to a processing center for inspection. We are grateful for this partnership and how it has brought joy to children in need around the world. Effective October 31, 2018 Greyhound announced the end of its western Canada bus routes and will only be operating from Sudbury, Ontario eastward. Operation Christmas Child no longer has a partnership with Greyhound in Canada, so if this decision will affect you we may be able to suggest alternate ways to get your shoeboxes to us. Please contact us at 1-800-303-1269 or email us at occ@samaritan.ca for assistance.

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