CPS partners with Operation Christmas Child
On Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, the Calgary Police Service Honour Guard will present 300 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to Samaritan’s Purse in a commemorative ceremony.
This year, five CPS members hold a greater connection to the initiative after becoming involved in an even bigger way. In June 2014, a team of five CPS officers and two Edmonton Police Service officers travelled to Costa Rica with Samaritan’s Purse on a mission to help strengthen the connection between local police enforcement and the community. During the trip, members had the unique opportunity to participate in Operation Christmas Child shoebox distributions.
“This has been an amazing opportunity to strengthen our ties with community partners here in Calgary, but also with EPS, and further afield with our brothers and sisters in Costa Rica,” said A/Sgt. Garry Woods of the CPS Diversity Resource Team. “We distributed over 2,000 shoeboxes on our recent mission. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children and their genuine gratitude and warmth, and that of our law enforcement partners abroad, are all shared experiences that will stay with us forever. We look forward to consolidating these relationships when we return to Costa Rica in March.”
Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes open doors for Samaritan’s Purse to provide children, families and communities with access to clean water, food, clothing, shelter, medical assistance and more. These boxes transcend all barriers—language, culture, geography and politics—to give joy and hope to hurting children around the world.
“We are honored to have the Calgary Police Service recognize the value of Operation Christmas Child, here in Canada and in developing world nations where children will receive Canadian shoebox gifts,” said Randy Crosson, Director of Operation Christmas Child. “Our partnership, which resulted in CPS officers travelling with Samaritan’s Purse to Costa Rica earlier this year, made an enormous impact with the Costa Rican Police Service. Operation Christmas Child was honoured to be a part of bringing these police services together.”
The Service has supported Operation Christmas Child for several years, and shoebox donations are one of the many initiatives that CPS members are excited to support throughout the year.
Even though National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child has passed, Canadians can still pack shoeboxes online. Visit www.PackaBox.ca and follow the easy directions.
Details of a media availability to follow.
Media Contacts:
Samaritan’s Purse:
Frank King
Communications Manager
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada
Samaritan’s Purse Canada
403-219-2300, ext 8720
Calgary Police Service:
Media Line
403-428-7979