Operation Christmas Child is an annual project run by Samaritan’s Purse, which involves packing a shoebox full of Christmas presents for children in poverty stricken and war torn areas. 

Marcia Murray, who has been involved in the local Operation Christmas Child efforts since the late 90s, calls each gift ‘a little shoebox full of love’. 

Volunteers from many Inverell churches, including the Anglican, Presbyterian, Life Foundation, Salvation Army and Baptist regularly collect shoeboxes. 

Children in Ross Hill Primary, Macintyre High and Holy Trinity schools, as well as Catherine Campbell Day Care Centre have also been filling boxes this year.

“I love it, and I want to try and get all the schools in the area involved,” organiser Coral Knight said. 

“It’s good because the more people doing it, the more boxes we can send to make one more child happy”.

“They travel by boat, by canoe, by elephant, by truck to get to their destinations,” Marcia said. This year, shoeboxes packed in Australia will be given to children in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Vanuatu.

Volunteers choose a gender and age group and fill their boxes with toys, stickers and games, as well as practical items such as clothes, school books and hairbrushes. 

“Some of these children have nothing,” Coral said. 

One local woman sews clothes and drawstring bags for the boxes. 

“So that when the box wears out, they’ve got something to carry them around,” explained Marcia.

Since 1993, over 124 million shoebox gifts have been given to children all over the world. This year, the charity is hoping to deliver gifts to 11 million children. 

Anyone who would like to participate can drop off a shoebox gift by October 31 at the Living Water Book Shop. Extra shoeboxes and brochures are also available at the store. 

A donation of $9 is requested for transport and administration costs. 

Volunteers are asked to check the Operation Christmas Child brochures or website for restricted items.