Employees at J.D. Irving, Limited’s Head Office in Dieppe, NB have been supporting Operation Christmas Child for over 15 years. The program brings joy and hope to children in Third World countries around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes packed by Canadians. It helps remind less fortunate children that they are not forgotten. For one J.D. Irving Limited employee, Charmine Duran, a Business Analyst in our IT Division, this program holds a special significance. Charmine received a gift-filled shoebox when she was a child living in the small town of Liloan, Philippines.

“Receiving this gift as a child was very special and exciting for me, I still have the rag doll from the shoebox in my bedroom back in the Philippines,” said Charmine. “It may be a small thing for Canadians to fill a box, but for children from these countries our presents really brighten up their Christmas.”

Charmine added a note with a story for the child who will receive her giftbox. The story tells of a little girl in the Philippines who received a shoebox gift one year from a faraway place, and it brightened up her Christmas. The little girl studied hard and is all grown up now and living in Canada. She’s happy she can now repay the act of kindness by sending her own gift-filled shoeboxes.  

Charmine’s story reminds us of the importance of programs like Operation Christmas Child.