Operation Christmas Child
Submitted by Marylyn Turcotte
Operation Christmas Child boxes ready to go at St. Martin School in Terrace Bay. Photo StM
TERRACE BAY, ON – The annual shoe box collection has become one of our special Christmas traditions at St. Martin School. It is a very important lead-up to Christmas activity because our focus turns to others. Participation in Operation Christmas Child is an outward sign of love. We are taught that love was born at Christmas when Mary gave birth to Jesus, the love and light of the world.
To participate in this project, families choose to shop for either a boy or a girl, with a specific age, and they pack as many toys and supplies as possible into a shoe box. The boxes collected at St. Martin School are sent to Thunder Bay, then on to Calgary, one of the collection points in Canada. The shoe boxes are then sent all over the world to children in serious and difficult situations. To date, millions of shoe boxes have been delivered. What a wonderful surprise for children to receive a gift of love from other children so far away.
It is only with the help of our students, parents, staff and friends from our community and Parish that we are able to be part of this wonderful undertaking. May all of the blessings of Christmas be with everyone throughout the year.
