Operation Christmas Child was a huge success.

Once again Albertans stepped up to help with the pack-a-shoebox campaign.

The campaign is run by Samaritan's Purse and sends shoe boxes around the world stuffed with gifts.

Frank King, with Samaritan's Purse, was surprised just how giving Canadians were.

"413,875 shoe boxes packed with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and many other items for children who in many cases have never received a gift in their entire lives. And the really neat thing too is that, that number, 413,875 is an increase of more than 40,000 over 2020's total.

Locally numbers were up in Okotoks by 39% with 1,908 shoeboxes filled while 787 boxes were filled in High River for a 6.6% increase.

King is very grateful for the local support.

"We're just so delighted with so many folks, you know; High River, Okotoks, almost across the country the numbers are up."

Provincially, Albertans packed 80,121 shoeboxes in 2021, an increase of 7% from 2020's 74,791 total.

King also mentioned that it's never too late to join in the pack-a-shoebox campaign as you can do so online anytime.