ValleyBiz Story |

With Christmas quickly sneaking up on us, it is the time of year that we start thinking about gifts for the special people in our lives. What can compare to the excitement of children around the tree as they open their gifts on Christmas morning.


While many children would be disappointed to receive only 1 small shoebox containing school supplies, hygiene items and a few small toys, these small gifts can help bring joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world.

Operation Christmas Child is a hands-on project that allows individuals and groups in Canada, through gift-filled shoeboxes, to remind children suffering through war, poverty, famine, disease and disaster that they are loved and not forgotten.

The Swan Valley is participating in Operation Christmas Child once again this year and taking part is simple. Gift boxes can be picked up at Giant Tiger, Swan Valley Coop, Extra Foods and the Dollar Store and filled with the following types of items:

TOYS AND OTHER GIFTS such as dolls, soccer balls (with needle and pump), stuffed animals, socks, hair clips, cars, musical instruments, puzzles, jump ropes, etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES such as pencils, pens, crayons, pencil crayons, notebooks, coloring books, etc.

NON-LIQUID HYGIENE ITEMS such as toothbrushes, bar soap, washcloths, combs, etc.

Completed boxes may be dropped off location at Temple Baptist Church (913 – 1st Street South, Swan River, MB) at the following times and dates:

Drop off times and dates:
Tuesday to Thursday – November 8-10 from 9am-2pm
Tuesday to Thursday – November 15-17 from 9am-2pm
Friday – November 18 from 11am-4pm
Saturday – November 19 from 1-4pm

For more information contact Diane Buhler at 734-3512 or dbuhler5@gmail.com

To date, Operation Christmas Child has collected and distributed over 135 million shoebox gifts worldwide. In 2015, Canadians donated more than 730,000 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes for hurting children around the world.