School News
An Assembly Line of Love: Linden Christian Sends Hope Through ShoeboxesAt Linden Christian School, our mission is to nurture students into devoted followers of God and compassionate community members equipped to serve in the global community. Few initiatives illustrate this commitment as beautifully as our annual Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Campaign!
Each year, we partner with Samaritan’s Purse—an international Christian relief organization—to send simple, yet powerful, gifts to children around the world who are suffering from war, poverty, and disaster.
A shoebox is more than just a collection of small gifts; it’s a tangible message of hope, love, and the Gospel delivered directly into the hands of a child who needs it most. Last year, by collaborating with Grant Church, our collective efforts made a significant impact, and we are excited to expand that outreach this year.
The campaign kicked off in our Early Years Chapel on Thursday, November 13, marking the start of a Kindergarten to Grade 4 effort that encouraged participation from every family:
- Classroom Collaboration: Students in Grades K-4 participated by bringing in new, small items to contribute to class shoeboxes. This teaches them the joy of giving and working together for a common, global cause.
- Family Outreach: Many families embraced the opportunity to pack their own shoeboxes at home, following the simple guidelines for age-appropriate gifts and permissible items.
- A “Train” of Generosity: The initiative culminated on Wednesday, November 19, with a special K-4 Chapel. After praying for the safe journey of the gifts and the children who will receive them, our students formed a long, joyful chain to move the packed shoeboxes from the chapel stage to the collection point at the back of the Sanctuary. This physical act cemented the understanding that they are literally connecting with children across the globe. It was wonderful to have support from Grade 11 students, who received the shoeboxes at the end of the lines and packed them up to be shipped to Calgary, and then all over the world!
This project is a powerful expression of our school’s vision:
- Global Community: By sending boxes to countries facing hardship, our students learn to look beyond their own community and understand their role in the wider world.
- Compassion and Service: Organizing items, fundraising for the shipping cost, and the final act of moving the boxes instills lifelong lessons in empathy, sacrifice, and service.
- Devoted Followers: We believe that following Christ means actively showing His love to others, particularly those most in need. This is a practical, hands-on opportunity to live out the Great Commission.
Thank you to all our families who participated and helped make this year’s Operation Christmas Child campaign a demonstration of God’s love!
