Thirty-four Osler high school students travelled to Calgary in early December to help children in need at the Samaritan’s Purse processing centre.
Brie Froese led 28 VCA Grade 10 students, plus six chaperones, as they spent December 7 and 8 inspecting Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes before they were packed in cartons and transported to Central America, West Africa, Philippines and Ukraine. There, the cartons will be given to children who in many cases have never received a gift in their lives.
It’s the first time the school has travelled to the Samritan’s Purse Calgary processing centre, and came after an Operation Christmas Child representative spoke at the school and inspired Vice Principal David Cameron to advocate for the trip.
“It’s really amazing,” said Brie, who’s been packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes with school supplies, hygiene items and toys for 17 years. “It’s a great way to have fun with the students, teach them to give back and to show God’s love to people around the world.”
Packing five shoeboxes this year, Brie noted that when it comes to the program, “I like that doing something small can create such a big impact and can change children’s lives around the globe.”
It’s not too late for Warman and Osler residents to help children in need. Just visit www.PackaBox.ca and pack Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes online.