Operation Christmas Child is keeping smiles wide this year for children in need. The numbers are in as Bev Alexander, former Weyburn Coordinator and current fill-in for Operation Christmas Child, explains.

"I think under the circumstances and the economic conditions, I personally was very pleased with the numbers. So considering from the late start we had, we did fairly well and we ended up with 460 shoe boxes. That was better than I was anticipating. It was a pleasant surprise when we finally counted them all, so I was going to be happy with about 300. Well, for the short period of that, and when you add that up with all the other boxes from across Canada and the United States, the numbers get pretty high."

The boxes are packed with toys, school supplies and hygiene items, which are delivered to children in need globally. Samaritan's Purse, who spearheads Operation Christmas Child, has it well organized.

Bev Alexander explained that this year they will collect their 200 millionth shoebox since their inception in 1993. She adds as giving is what the Christmas season is all about, it's always great when kids help pack the shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and hygiene products to distribute to children worldwide.