Arthur Milnes
Northern News Services

NNSL (Nov 11/98) - A visitor to Ecole St. Joseph school Friday would have to be forgiven if he or she thought for a moment they had stumbled upon Santa's Northern workshop.

There were presents being wrapped, gifts brought throughout the afternoon to the office for sorting and almost 150 boxes of presents prepared for shipping.

Christmas in November?

No, Operation Christmas Child -- a North American Christmas relief effort run by the organization, Samaritan's Purse -- unfolding at the local school.

Parents, teachers, classroom assistants and students joined together to ensure kids in some of the world's poorest countries have some Christmas cheer come Dec. 25.

"They're (the gifts) going to people who are hurt, blind or in the hospital," student Brendan Murphy said of the shoebox he had prepared.

Stephanie Stanzell agreed.

"It gives you a nice feeling," she said. "I put in notebooks, socks, a Slinky and a whole lot of things."

The boxes were sent to the Yellowknife Salvation Army and will be forwarded, eventually arriving in Central and South America and Southeast Asia. Other schools and groups in the city are also taking part, said Ecole St. Joseph's school organizers.

"It's a great thing and the kids love doing it," said parent volunteer Anne Todd, while standing amid numerous boxes Friday. "It makes them (students and the whole school community) focus on giving instead of just receiving...So far, we have collected 142 boxes."

Todd said everything from clothes to stuffed animals, toothpaste, soaps and socks were included in the items boxed up at the school.

Anyone seeking further information should contact Samaritan's Purse in Calgary.

The deadline for the receipt of boxes this year is Nov. 21.