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A Big Giving Project shows love to children around the world

November 9th, 2020

This fall, the people of Points West Living Wainwright undertook a Big Giving Project. They purchased, collected, and sorted gifts, and packed them into shoeboxes to be distributed in time for Christmas to children in the developing world. In a remarkable feat of hard work and generosity, they filled 73 boxes.

73 of 10-million!

The filled shoeboxes are collected and distributed by Operation Christmas Child, a division of the Christian international relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse. Their goal is to provide a joyful Christmas for children around the world who are living in desperate situations. Last year the group handed out more than 10-million shoebox gifts. The 73 boxes packed at PWL Wainwright will be distributed to eight different countries in Central America and Africa.

A lot of preparation

Residents, employee care partners, and volunteers did a lot of preparation leading up to the shoebox packing party, says recreation coordinator, Shauna Lee Carlson. “Volunteers sewed book bags, organized items that were donated, shopped, folded shoeboxes, and prayed for the children that will receive the boxes,”

Then, on October 22, everyone gathered to pack the boxes in age and gender focused collections. “The shoeboxes were packed with various items; from small toys to personal hygiene basics, stuffed animals to school supplies, basics for woodworking and sewing, just to name a few.”

Warmth and generosity of spirit

“I am so pleased to be part of a community that shows such warmth and generosity of spirit. I believe that to whom much has been given, much is required,” says Shauna Lee. “It is a blessing for all of us to have been part of such a meaningful project.”

Photo: Residents and Operation Christmas Child volunteer gather to pack shoeboxes to be sent as Christmas gifts to children around the world.

More photos at Flickr: A Big Giving Project shows love to children around the world