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the Joy of Christmas With Needy Children MPP Arnott
Tells House
Waterloo-Wellington
MPP Ted Arnott addressed the Ontario Legislature on
October 15, 2002 about Operation Christmas Child. The
following is the record from Hansard of Mr. Arnott’s
remarks:
“For
people who want to share the joy of Christmas with needy
children around the world, I want to inform the House
about a program called Operation Christmas Child.
I
learned about this program through one of its sponsors,
St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Fergus, which is
the church my family attends. There recently we were
shown a video of children living in the Third World
beaming with delight when they received a shoebox full
of gifts just for them for Christmas. For many of these
children, it's probably their first-ever Christmas gift
or the only gift they will receive this year.
My
constituents in Waterloo-Wellington may know that this
program is also operated through the Elmira Independent
Newspaper. People living in Elmira and the surrounding
area can contact editor Gail Martin to find out how
they can pick up the shoeboxes and drop them off after
they have been filled.
My
constituents can also contact the office at St Andrew's
Presbyterian Church in Fergus. The church is serving
as a drop-off centre as well, and all drop-off centres
must receive the shoeboxes by November 16 in order to
ensure their distribution before Christmas.
A
project of Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child
is celebrating its 10th year internationally. Last year
Canadians donated over 700,000 boxes of toys through
Operation Christmas Child.
For
my wife and me, it's a very special time spent with
our three boys, putting together packages of special
things we would like to give to youngsters living in
places like Central America, Africa and South America.
Be
it extra toys from around the house, letters of encouragement,
photographs or even personal care items, it's a kind
of giving that's needed and that teaches and reminds
us of the true meaning of Christmas.
I
encourage all members to show their support for Samaritan's
Purse and Operation Christmas Child.”
To
participate in Operation Christmas Child, call Gail
Martin, Editor, Elmira Independent (519) 669-5155 ext.
106 or St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Fergus (519)
843-3565. Shoeboxes must be received by November 16,
2002.
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