Calgary Police Service members inspect gift-filled shoeboxes; find hope and joy

Calgary’s “keepers of the peace” will become “inspectors of the shoeboxes” on Wednesday morning, as members of the Calgary Police Service join hundreds of other enthusiastic volunteers to process thousands of gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

Members of the Service’s North District office will be at the Samaritan’s Purse Canada warehouse in northeast Calgary to receive basic shoebox-inspection training, then take their place at one of many processing tables to ensure each donated shoebox is safe and appropriate for the child who will receive it.

“Each shoebox is opened and inspected to ensure there are no used or dirty items, food, liquids that could melt or freeze, breakable items, or anything that could scare or harm a child,” said John Friesen, Operations Manager for Operation Christmas Child. “We are pleased the CPS has chosen to join thousands of other volunteers across Canada who will visit our processing centers this year.”

Gifts inside each shoebox include school supplies, hygiene items, toys, and candy. Each shoebox is designated for a boy or a girl in the age groups of 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Shoebox donors are also encouraged to send a photo and a note to the child who receives the shoebox.

“The Calgary Police Service has had a long and meaningful partnership with Operation Christmas Child. Our members look forward to assisting in whatever way possible in hopes of making the life of a child in need just a little bit better over the holiday season,” said North District A/Insp. Jim Leung.

Once processed, the shoeboxes will be shipped to children in countries such as Senegal, Uruguay, and Haiti.

Media is invited between 10:30 a.m. and 12 p.m., on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, at 20 Hopewell Way N.E.

Since 1993, more than 100 million shoeboxes have been distributed around the world by Samaritan’s Purse offices in Canada, the United States, Great Britain and Australia. Donors who wish to send gift-filled shoeboxes to hurting children can deliver their shoeboxes to the Samaritan’s Purse warehouse at 20 Hopewell Way NE, Calgary, or they can pack a shoebox online at PackABox.ca

To learn more about Operation Christmas Child, please visit SamaritansPurse.ca/occ.