The final Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes were packed into a U-haul November 14 and will make their way to children in need just in time for Christmas. From left, Steve Pellow, Carrie Young of Port Elgin Missionary Church, Austin Nashkewa, local organizer Joyce Scammell, and Donna Nashkewa-Jackson.

Hub Staff

Over 2,500 shoeboxes across Bruce County have been filled with toys, clothes, school supplies and love and are now on their way to children around the world. The annual Operation Christmas Child filled its last 20 boxes November 14 with local organizers driving the shoeboxes to a distribution location in Guelph so they can arrive in the hands of children in time for Christmas.

The program is run by humanitarian aid organization Samaritan’s Purse and delivers goods to children in countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Haiti, Uruguay, Chile, Venezuela, Guinea, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and the Ukraine.

Area organizer Joyce Scammell wanted to thank local businesses, the Salvation Army, Square Deal Neil’s, TD Bank, and others for collecting shoeboxes and filling donation jars.

Joyce Scammell and Carrie Young tape the final 20 boxes closed.

Steve Pellow and Carrie Young flexed their muscles and made sure the boxes were safety placed in the truck. After filling the U-Haul Steve Pellow and Joyce Scammell drove the boxes to a distribution point in Guelph.