The gift-giving season is underway in Moose Jaw and the local branch of Operation Christmas Child is putting out the call for shoe box gifts.

Volunteers like Marlie McLeod will take the next week to gather all of the local donations so they can be sent off to underdeveloped counties around the world but this is the last weekend to get some shopping done.

"What they would suggest to put in the shoebox is hygiene items, school supplies, some kind of a toy or gift that would thrill a child and the only other thing that they would ask if that you include a $10 donation to help with the cost of shipping the shoebox overseas."

McLeod warns against including liquids in the box because they would potentially freeze and asks that there are no war or violence related items since the gifts do find their way into parts of the world where violence is an everyday occurrence.

Every year, about 2000 gifts are packaged locally for use under Samaritans Purse. The deadline to drop off a gift at the Alliance Church is November 18th.