Shoeboxes full of Christmas gifts for kids overseas, who otherwise might not receive a Christmas present this year, have been shipped out of  Portage. 

Operation Christmas Child Portage la Prairie Area Coordinator Eileen Warthe says 1,398 boxes came in with 190 of them dropped off by the project leader, herself. She notes you can still help out.

"Maybe you're still thinking, 'Oh, I forgot to pack a shoebox,' or you would still like to do that," says Warthe. "You can go online to packabox.ca and you can still pack a shoebox. You have until December 31st."

Warthe says they're down from last year by about 200 boxes, but considering the economic situation at the moment, she notes she's pleased.

"One of the things that we were able to do that we haven't done before is send eight cartons full of 'fillers' to Calgary," continues Warthe. "Those fillers will get used in the shoebox hospital for those boxes that are only less than half full. Then they will be taken there, so that the boxes will be full when the boys and girls get them."

She extends her thanks to those who helped with their effort.

"I would just like to thank all the volunteers for their volunteer hours at our drop-off place, because it takes all our volunteers to do this job, especially with some of us working full-time," adds Warthe. "Also, a big thank you to Portage Transport for their commitment, time, and resources to take the cartons to Calgary to the Samaritans Purse warehouse. And then, also, to CFRY and others who have helped in that way in promoting Operation Christmas Child. Without you guys, we couldn't have the success that we do have."