15 Years of Operation Christmas Child
Left to Right-Maureen, Wendy, Marie, Veronica, Pat, Anne, Elizabeth and Noelene
For 15 years St Peter’s Shoebox group has worked tirelessly for their yearly contribution to Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox campaign. Each year they pack 90 boxes which brings the total to 1,350 boxes since they began! They have a dedicated group of workers who bring their talents of sewing craft items, knitting and crocheting to help fill the boxes, and often work in tandem with St Luke’s ladies craft group who contribute items as well as group members.
The shoeboxes are filled with school supplies, clothing and hygiene needs as well as some toys. In 2024, Australia and New Zealand combined packed 211,502 boxes and worldwide 11,927,439 were sent.
Every year the boxes are sent to the headquarters in Sydney and then shipped overseas to countries in need. The children are encouraged to enrol in a 12 step discipleship program called the “Greatest Journey” which is lead by teachers trained in “The Word”.
The countries receiving can change yearly according to the Global situation with disasters in various areas. Last year the boxes supported countries such as Cambodia, Ukraine, Fiji, Papa New Guinea, and the Philippines, among others. A number of boxes are retained in Australia for home disasters like bush fires, floods, cyclones etc and are distributed to the needed areas as required.
The Samaritan’s Purse is a global Christian organisation, more information can be found on their website.
St Peter’s funds their postage with an annual trivia evening which draws participants from numerous local churches across the Albury area and trivia enthusiasts from the wider community. In later years they have taken on the “Return and Earn” recycling program as an extra income to support the funding. If you’d like to assist St Peter’s shoebox mission or be contacted for the next trivia night you can call Maureen on 0438 256 279.
