The deadline for submission of $30 for Colleen to shop for people who are not able is October 27. Put in an envelope marked “Shoeboxes” and put in offering box.

The Christmas Shoeboxes for children as we did them last year are a project sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse, a worldwide Christian aid organization that helps in times of disaster (floods, earthquakes, etc.) as well as ongoing support for countries in need (developing resources for clean water, teaches farming skills, promotes women’s rights).  Individuals fill a shoebox for a child  - which are provided in the foyer - with a pamphlet that gives ideas about the articles that can go in the box as well as those that cannot.  You may choose the age of the child and boy/girl using the label in the pamphlet which is glued on the outside of the box.  $10 needs to be included at the top of the box for shipping. A demonstration will be given in the coming weeks about packing a shoebox.  Dollar stores are the best places to buy items for the boxes.  The boxes are collected locally in November, shipped to Calgary which is the western clearing house where each box is checked, and then shipped to various countries.

This is a wonderful opportunity to share with a child or grandchild the very practical way in which children in other countries can be helped.  The truth of the gospel is also shared with these children.

If you are not able for any reason  to shop yourself for the boxes, if you put $30 in an envelope, mark Christmas Shoeboxes, and put it in the offering, I will be happy to shop for you.  I have done this many, many times over the years!

Colleen Kouwenberg