Operations Shoebox a lifesaver for needy children overseas
MARY Hartley has been packing special shoeboxes to send to needy children for Christmas for the past seven years and can’t get enough of it.
The Express
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MARY Hartley has been packing special shoeboxes to send to needy children for Christmas for the past seven years and can’t get enough of it, having seen first hand the expressions of sheer joy on the faces of the recipients.
The Bankstown local, who has been volunteering in the community for more than 17 years, works with St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School and La Salle Catholic College to pack essentials in shoeboxes as a part of Operation Christmas Child.
Her daughter Carmel is also heavily involved in the project.
“A group of Samaritan’s Purse volunteers go overseas each year to give the shoeboxes to the children,” Ms Hartley said.
“The volunteers pay for their own way. I went to Vietnam and it was so rewarding because the children were so appreciative and so excited.
“And we learnt about the many other ways Samaritans Purse help the community.
Last year, the Sydney processing centre sent 112,117 shoeboxes to Vietnam, Cambodia, Fiji, PNG, Thailand and Madagascar.
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse.
“It partners with local churches in developing nations to reach out to children by providing gift-filled shoeboxes and bringing the good news of Jesus Christ,” Samiritan’s Purse say.
“After receiving shoebox gifts, many children are also invited back to participate in The Greatest Journey.”
Since 1993, a whopping 135 million have been sent to 130 nations.
■ To help contact Samaritans Purse 1800 684 300.