Operation Christmas Child – Samaritan’s Purse is the Christian charity that takes Christmas boxes throughout the world to a huge number of children who, due to third and fourth world poverty or remote locations would otherwise receive no Christmas presents.
Last year an astounding total of 12,205,900 shoebox gifts globally were collected during the 2025 season. Over 336 of these came from the Coromandel Peninsula.
The boxes are distributed through Christmas gatherings where the whole community is invited, and every child gets a box.
Robyn Balfour is the local co-ordinator for Operation Christmas Child and she wants to remind people that it’s always a good time to get involved in thinking of those in poorer countries. She wants to encourage families to take the children shopping for the little gifts that can bring so much joy to others who have almost nothing to call their own.
“Children love shopping for gifts and useful items to put in the boxes, and it teaches them to spare a thought for those less fortunate,” Robyn says. “I wish more people could see what a difference those boxes make to children who have nothing. People on the Coromandel are very generous and I know they will be again this year.”
Empty decorated shoe boxes available:
Right now you can pick up decorated empty shoeboxes from:
◾️Whitianga: St Patrick’s Catholic, St Peter’s Anglican, Whitianga Baptist, Crossroads Church, C3, St Andrew’s Church and Opshop, Cogill Café, The Informer office in Monk Street.
◾️Pauanui: Pauanui Information Centre.
◾️Whangamata: Baptist Church, Whangamata.
Recommendations about the toys and essentials that are so much appreciated are included in the boxes that you pick up to fill. Cash donations also help towards shipping the boxes.
Last drop-off date: All boxes must be returned by Saturday, 24 October to St Andrews Op Shop. Open Tuesday-Saturday 9.30am-1.30pm
◾️Cash donations also help towards shipping the boxes.
