Collection week kicks off in Prince Albert for Operation Christmas Child

He said it is a great initiative that both he and the rest of the staff at Parkland Ambulance continue to enjoy getting involved with.

“Every year, it gets a little bit bigger and a little bit better and we certainly enjoy doing it,” he said. “It’s just one more way that we can do our part to give back not only here locally, which we do a lot of community service for, but certainly in a much more global sense.”

Karasiuk said similarly to past years, the shoe boxes can be picked up at Parkland Ambulance or created at home with a recycled shoe box or plastic container.

This year the shoe boxes can now also be created and ordered online with a credit card.

“You can select boy, girl, stuff you want to put in the box, give it that personal touch and somebody will build it for you at the Calgary distribution centre,” said Karasiuk.

Items that are encouraged include school supplies, hygiene items or toys. Items that should not be included in the shoe boxes include candy or any other food item.

Karasiuk said they usually receive anywhere from 1,000 to 1,500 shoe boxes each year, which they ship to the Calgary distribution centre where they are sorted and sent to various locations across the globe.

“Some of our boxes this year are destined for Central America, and some are heading to the Ukraine, so it’s a nice way for folks to just think of Christmas in maybe a global fashion and do their part to help out,” he said.

The shoe boxes can be dropped off at both Parkland Ambulance locations in Prince Albert from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. except on Saturday Nov. 21, when donations will only be accepted at their east end location from 9 a.m. until noon.

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by Sarah Rolles

Collection week kicks off in Prince Albert for Operation Christmas Child

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