The answer is, they don’t know but what they do know is it will be a very grateful child in one of the following countries: Fiji, Vanuatu, Cambodia, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, Samoa or Thailand.

Operation Christmas Child is a Christian Ministry which sends a message of hope and love to children living in poverty and desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes.

A Christian booklet is given out with the boxes and parental consent needed for further study.

As Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, other practical help may also be given such as education and vocational training, water sanitation and hygiene projects, animals and agriculture livelihoods projects, health and nutrition projects and relief projects in the event of a disaster.

There was a total of 678 boxes donated from Cowra.

Those involved with Cowra’s Operation Christmas Child would like to extend a big thanks to Phil Beer from Cowra Freight for his generous donation of taking 510 the boxes to Sydney for free.

The other 168 boxes were taken to the Sydney depot by Greg Whitfield from Ignite Church and they would like to extend a thanks to Greg too. 

Operation Christmas Child would also like to thank the Curtis Family at Phill’s Paint Shop for being the local depot and receiving and storing the boxes until they go to Sydney.

Who packs the boxes? Locals, the project provides an opportunity for a business, community group, schools, individuals and churches to be involved in a simple hands-on project that reaches out to suffering children.

What is in them? Something to wear, something to play with, something for school, something to love, something special and something for personal hygiene for a for a girl or boy 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14.

If you would like to pack a box for operation Operation Christmas Child, use a normal shoebox or get a flatpack one from Trish Cusack on 6342 3873 or Jane Doolan on 6342 4997.

For more information visit their website operationchristmaschild.org.au Trish or Jane are happy to answer any of your questions. 

You can take months to pack the boxes as they are sent away in October or November each year.