For those looking to brighten the holidays for children in impoverished countries, Samaritans Purse is offering their Operation Christmas Child program again this year, where people fill shoeboxes with gifts to be sent around the world.

Local coordinator Bev Alexander said this year the boxes will be going to Africa, Central America and even the Ukraine, which will have to be specially marked at drop-off.

"It still needs to have the boy or girl label on it but then it needs to be marked for the Ukraine because they ask for those boxes to have toques and mitts and scarves, socks - some warmer items in, because their climate is obviously quite different than Guatemala," she explained. 

Alexander said the most important things to include are school supplies and hygiene items.

"But not toothpaste. That is a customs issue because of an expiry date on toothpaste. So, people say to me 'well then why would you put toothbrushes in?' and just this past week I've read two or three stories of kids getting shoeboxes saying 'the best thing in my shoebox was my toothbrush because I had to share my toothbrush with eight other kids in an orphanage."

Of course, what child's Christmas present would be complete without a toy.

"Put in a toy, at least one - a yo-yo, a ball," said Alexander. "Balls are always great. Soccer balls with a ball pump. Soccer balls will deflate enough that you can get them in a red and green box, and if you put a soccer ball in and a few school supplies you don't have to put anything else in that box because that is about the most exciting thing that a boy between 10 and 14 can get in a shoebox."

As usual, no liquids can be included in the boxes and recently no candy either. More information on how to pack a shoebox can be found HERE.

The drop-off deadline is November 18 at the Free Methodist Church at 3 p.m. Prior to that, people can drop-off shoeboxes November 14 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., November 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 8 p.m., and November 17 from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 3 p.m.