It takes more than a postal strike to stop shoe boxes from Timmins for Operation Christmas Child.
That’s an annual project of the international aid organization Samaritan’s Purse, to send Christmas gifts to needy kids in various parts of the world.
Local coordinator Peggy Bendell says it’s full steam ahead.
“The biggest effect it’ll have,” she says, “is the people cannot pick up the shoe boxes and brochures or drop them off at our four local post offices here.”
Bendell says she was lucky enough to get the boxes that were already at the post offices. And there’s a Plan B in place.
“You can drop them off at Hallmark at the Timmins Square; and Jorie’s Fine Clothing (in) Downtown Timmins; and also in South Porcupine at the Timbermart, or my house.”
The deadline is this coming Sunday, but Bendell says she can pick up boxes after that, until the following Saturday. Home Hardware will deliver them to Mississauga, for their first step through the customs process.
