December 17, 2019
Vermilion continuing care residents and community volunteers shared love, joy and hope this holiday season by packing 18 shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, clothes and more before sending them to children in West Africa and Central America as part of Operation Christmas Child.
Story by Yolanda Genu | Photo by Pam Barmentloo
VERMILION — Imagine children in Africa and Central America beaming with joy as they open Christmas shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, clothes and cards. For some, it may be the first time they’ve ever received holiday gifts, and they’ll be pretty excited.
It’s all thanks to residents in continuing care at Vermilion Health Centre, members of Parkview Alliance Church and community and Alberta Health Service (AHS) volunteers who gathered items and packed the boxes for Operation Christmas Child.
“This project brought together people across different generations, demonstrating that we’re never too young or too old to care”, says Susan McCulley, AHS’ volunteer coordinator in Vermilion. “It was great to see residents pack the boxes and make decisions about what they wanted in their boxes.”
Aaron Elder, 7, and his sister Olivia, 14, also enjoyed filling up the gift boxes — and believe in the importance of giving.
“It’s nice to give to children who have barely anything,” says Aaron.
“We’re so fortunate to have all the things we have,” adds Olivia. “That’s why it’s important to give to people without something that’s theirs – and it’s special.”
Eighteen boxes are being sent to children in West African and Central American countries. Often the gift-giver will enclose a photo or letter to let the child know who packed the box — a gesture to connect all involved. Items are chosen to help transform the child’s circumstances so they can go to school, do other things for themselves or participate more in their communities.
Health centre resident Alfred Rallison says he wants the children to know that the boxes were packed by “people who care and accept that the gift is a work of love.”
Projects like Operation Christmas Child have a way of bringing the community together with a common goal of helping others.
“Participation gives love and hope to children in desperate circumstances who have not received a gift in their lives,” says Pam Barmentloo, a volunteer and member of Parkview Alliance Church. “It brings so much joy and uplifts them from devastation and loss brought on by war, poverty and natural disasters.”
Olivia adds: “To the new owner of this box, I would like to tell you that you are loved.”
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child — a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization — has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 168 million children in more than 100 countries.
