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The Christmas push is on for Calgary charities

Click to play video: 'Calgary charities gearing up for Christmas campaigns'
Calgary charities gearing up for Christmas campaigns
WATCH ABOVE: It's the time of year when charities make their big annual Christmas push. In Calgary, both the Salvation Army and Samaritan’s Purse are hoping people come through in a big way. Here's Gary Bobrovitz on what they need, and how you can help – Nov 15, 2016

Two charities are making pleas for help in the lead-up to the holiday season.

Samaritan’s Purse is asking people to pack and deliver shoeboxes filled with gifts or their Operation Christmas Child campaign.

“We probably run through here about 350 thousand shoeboxes… brought here and inspected and put into cartons and shipped out of here to countries like Haiti, Senegal, Sera Leone, Costa Rica and even the Ukraine,” Frank King with Samaritan’s Purse said.

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The shoeboxes can contain toiletries, toys, socks and personal items suitable for either a boy or girl along with seven dollars cash to pay for shipping costs.

No candy or food is allowed in the box.

The campaign wraps up Sunday Nov.  20.

Salvation Army is also looking for up to 2,000 volunteers for their Christmas kettle campaign which starts next week.

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They would need to spend several hours in malls and other retail locations accepting donations.

“They are people who care deeply about their community and care for their fellow humankind all around them. Whether they know them personally or not, they recognize that we are all connected to each other. They really want to help. They have big hearts,”. Lt Colonel Larry Martin of the Salvation Army said.

About 100 kettles will be set up around the City of Calgary.

The Salvation Army is hoping to collect $1 million during the 2016 Christmas campaign.

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