Over 11 million shoeboxes full of Christmas presents were donated during the 2023 edition of Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child.

Samaritan's Purse gathered a total of 11,300,126 shoeboxes filled with gifts worldwide. Among these, 425,209 were assembled in Canada.

This year, Canadian shoeboxes went to Central America.

“We are thrilled to see the enthusiastic participation of Canadians in Operation Christmas Child,” said Kendra Shields, Operation Christmas Child’s Canadian director. “It is very encouraging to know that so many generous people want to give hope and joy to children in need around the world.”

Here are the local numbers from the latest shoebox drive:

  • Airdrie 2,585 
  • Calgary 21,324
  • Cochrane 543
  • High River 747
  • Okotoks 1,126
  • Strathmore 848

"We were thrilled, delighted and so grateful to the Airdrie residents and residents of all of Rocky View County for how they stepped up this year to help children in need," stated Frank King, News Media Relations Manager for Samaritan’s Purse Canada.

2023 Airdrie numbers were an increase of 26 percent from the 2,041 shoeboxes in 2022.

"For many of the kids, it was the first gift they will have ever received in their lives," mentioned King.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered 220 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

If Airdronians like, they area able to donate shoeboxes year around, not just at Christmas by clicking HERE.

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