Swift Current has made a tremendous contribution to children in need. 

Residents in Swift Current came together to put together 2,200 gift-filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and Samaritans Purse. 

These gift boxes are filled with items a child might need, like a soccer ball, shoes, stuffed animals, or other fun childhood items. 

Frank King, the news media relations manager for Samaritans Purse Canada, was proud of the contribution they got from the southwest region. 

"A big shoutout and a thank you to the very generous residents of Swift Current and that whole region," said King. "For recognizing that there are lots of kids who never get a present in their entire lives until these Canadian Pact Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes show up at this event that they've been invited to."

To date, almost half a million shoeboxes have been sent from Canada to countries and children around the world. 

These latest shoeboxes are heading to Central America, where children will be able to enjoy gifts bron of strangers' kindness. 

This year, to support these children in the best way possible, folks were asked to pack academic supplies, like pencils and paper. 

"We asked for school supplies because even in countries where the education system is free, quite often the children have to provide their own [supplies]," said King. "That alone would mean that some kids would not get an education because even that is too much for their parents to afford."

These gifts not only enrich children's play time but also help to further them in their scholastic abilities. 

If anyone wants to sign up for the next shoebox drive, they can check out packabox.ca for more information.