CPS partners with Operation Christmas Child

On Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014, the Calgary Police Service Honour Guard will present 300 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to Samaritan’s Purse in a commemorative ceremony. This year, five CPS members hold a greater connection to the initiative after becoming involved in an even bigger way. In June 2014, a team of five CPS officers and two Edmonton Police Service officers travelled to Costa Rica with Samaritan’s Purse on a mission to help strengthen the connection between local police enforcement and the community. During the trip, members had the unique opportunity to participate in Operation Christmas Child shoebox distributions. “This has been an amazing opportunity to strengthen our ties with community partners here in Calgary, but also with EPS, and further afield with our brothers and sisters in Costa Rica,” said A/Sgt. Garry Woods of the CPS Diversity Resource Team. “We distributed over 2,000 shoeboxes on our recent mission. Seeing the smiles on the faces of the children and their genuine gratitude and warmth, and that of our law enforcement partners abroad, are all shared experiences that will stay with us forever. We look forward to consolidating these relationships when we return to Costa Rica in March.” Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes open doors for Samaritan’s Purse to provide children, families and communities with access to clean water, food, clothing, shelter, medical assistance and more. These boxes transcend all barriers—language, culture, geography and politics—to give joy and hope to hurting children around the world. “We are honored to have the Calgary Police Service recognize the value of readmore