SIR, – On behalf of Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child, I convey my heartfelt thanks to the many churches, schools, organisations and individuals involved last year in packing a shoebox for a child in need.

Each child is special and they will receive only one shoebox of gifts in their life. This gift will bring immediate joy and hope to the child and might open opportunities of which they had never dreamed.

Samaritan’s Purse can then assess the needs of the community such as safe, clean water, education, health and community empowerment projects and implement programs where possible.

By the end of 2019, more than 45,000 shoeboxes were processed from Victoria. All these boxes have been sent to the Philippines including more than 2000 from the Wimmera and southern Mallee.

All of our team give a huge thank you to each person who took the time to become involved, either by packing a shoebox or donating goods or money. Thank you also to the many people who made many different handmade items for the boxes.

We look forward to working with you all again this year. Remember, you can collect items all year round. For further information please refer to our website samaritanspurse.org.au.

Ann Rohde

Area co-ordinator

The entire February 12, 2020 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!