Operation Christmas Child's in full swing in Portage la Prairie, and that means overseas children in impoverished nations will be getting a special gift for Christmas this year. Local area team logistics coordinator Lucy van Dongen gives us an update.

"The empty shoeboxes are really starting to move through the locations where people can pick them up. We've all been restocking stores and different places that have had a lot of shoeboxes going out. So, I'm expecting a really good end-result this time. It's quite exciting. I've always been interested in the shoebox organization. And I've filled shoeboxes in the past, but this is the first year that I'm involved with the ministry."

She says people were taking the boxes to fill as she was assembling them. Van Dongen encourages you to fill a box if you've done it before, and if you've never participated she notes it would make a big difference in the life of a child who receives it. She notes it may seem small to us, but it's a huge thing for the receiving child.

Area coordinator Eileen Warthe says they're getting calls for more donations.

"We've had a number of stores call for more boxes. So, that's encouraging. And I had another colony call and say they would like boxes. So far, I'm encouraged by the different ones -- we've had another school come onboard. It's exciting to see kids get excited and talking to their teachers asking if they could do this."

Warthe says it's a great opportunity to bless a child in a nation of economic strife or war-torn conditions. She says it makes a difference in the lives of these children as well as their families and communities. Warthe says it's a way for the gospel to go out in a tangible and yet simple way. Warthe recounts how a young man living in an orphanage told her he received a small towel. Normally six boys will share a towel, and for him to have a personal one in those conditions enabled him to have that special little bit more.

The team reminds you that candy, liquids, and toothpaste are not allowed. You can donate items for children aged 2 to 7, 5 to 8 and 9-14. Most children only receive one shoebox during their childhood, and in some cases a child receives another one later in another age bracket. For many kids, it's their first and only gift they'll ever receive at Christmas.

The team asks you to send $7.00 along with the shoebox to cover shipping expenses, much cheaper than if you had to ship it overseas yourself. Warthe notes that box will get to Calgary and then onto the destination country. You can put the $7.00 into the envelope that comes in a brochure available to send with the shoebox. She notes it's one of those rare and few programs that truly sends exactly what you donate, unless it's something that isn't allowed in the particular country.

November 20th is the end of their collection week at the Portage Mall.