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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Tamara and Jim Young of Lynnwood buy gifts to fill shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, November 10, 2009 Shoe box-sized gifts deliver holiday cheer to kids By Kristi O'Harran Herald Columnist Tamara and Jim Young of Lynnwood are buying small this season. The couple searches for toys, hygiene items and school supplies. Every year, they join with thousands of others to send shoe boxes filled with fun and functional goods. Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, is a program that works with volunteers like the Lynnwood couple who pack and deliver presents to children in war-torn and poverty-stricken countries. The couple are helped by their granddaughter, Magen Mahler, 13, who used to live in Mukilteo but now lives in Oregon. Magen offers tips about what kids would like to find under the lid. “Packing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child becomes that integral part of your own Christmas memory,” says Tamara Young. The Youngs lead the project at Mukilteo Presbyterian Church. A church member loaned the Young's a semi-truck to use during collection week so they are able to collect shoe boxes from others outside of their church and truck them to the collection center. Tamara Young says their church has become more like a family since they began packing shoe boxes together a few years ago. “We have families working together, putting their shoe boxes into larger cartons so they can be shipped. That really made an impression. What a blessing to come out of something as simple as putting shoe boxes in a carton.” This week is the big push for donations. For more information about collection sites, visit www.samaritanspurse.org. Boxes are trucked to Santa Ana, Calif., then on to children who may have never received a gift. “A shoe box is going to make a big difference in their lives,” Young says. “And anybody can do it. Get a box, go to the store and fill it up.” * * * Mouth-to-snout resuscitation can save lives, just like people CPR. The Snohomish County Chapter of the American Red Cross offers pet first aid classes at 2530 Lombard Ave., Everett. Red Cross health and safety director Janene Rae says, “If Fido knew how to do it on us, he'd do it for us.” Those who go to class will meet Casper, the CPR dog. Pull his tongue, check his pulse and practice techniques on the canine mannequin. “We found out in (Hurricane) Katrina how important having a pet disaster plan was to pet owners,” says Rae. “Just as you should have a family preparedness plan, you need to have a pet disaster preparedness plan, too.” The next pet first aid course begins at 6 p.m. Thursday. The cost is $35 and includes a choice of a $16 dog or cat first aid book and DVD. For more information, call 425-740-2321. “We also offer two types of first aid kits for pets for use at home or in the car.” * * * Residents at Merry Haven Care Center in Snohomish enjoy dressing up baby dolls. They would love donations of new, lifelike dolls, doll clothing and blankets, said activity director Connie Ennis. Merry Haven is located at 800 10th St., Snohomish. “We just don't have a large budget to spend on these items.” Kristi O'Harran: 425-339-3451, oharran@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

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