Peace Country residents made a big impact in children’s lives last year through Operation Christmas Child. Grande Prairie and area residents contributed 3,907 shoeboxes this past year, while the Fort St. John collection centre contributed 1,581.

The exact location of where our boxes landed is still unknown, however, many Canadian packed shoeboxes made their final destination in Costa Rica.

In 2019, more than ten million shoeboxes were packed and sent out, which is roughly a two million shoebox increase from 2018.

During shoebox distribution events, Samaritan's Purse will proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in several ways whenever culturally appropriate. As children receive their boxes, they will also hear about the love of Jesus, and many times parents are there as well. 

They also offer children The Greatest Gift, which is a colorful storybook that shares the message of salvation. The book is available in more than 80 different languages, with scripture stories, that they can take home with them to share with family and friends. The book also offers an invitation for children to follow Jesus.

Samaritan's Purse will also invite each child who received a shoebox to take part in "The Greatest Journey", a 12 lesson evangelism and discipleship program. Children will then attend a graduation celebration, where they receive a certificate and a copy of the New Testament in their own language. For many children and families, this is the first copy of God's word they have ever owned. 

The Greatest Journey has been used to bring more than nine million children to faith in Christ.