Calvary Bayview resident, Daphne Ryan, said each gift box is carefully assembled, with residents choosing items they think will make the children feel special when they open it on Christmas morning.

“Each box includes an outfit and a toy that we think the child will like based on whether they’re a boy or girl and their age. We also include books, colouring in pencils, and a game. We want to make sure each child knows how special they are,” Ms Ryan said.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, a non-profit, Christian organisation providing emergency relief and development assistance to people around the world.

Taking part in Operation Christmas Child is an annual tradition for Calvary Bayview.

Calvary Bayview Lifestyle Coordinator, Donna Graham, said the initiative is a community effort. We do a call out for donations from staff and our residents’ lovely families. We receive so many thoughtful donations from our community,” Ms Graham said.

“Once we have all our items, the residents get together to put together each box. It is heartwarming to see the joy on the residents’ faces knowing that because of them a child is going to wake on Christmas morning and have a gift waiting for them.”

“It gives us such a good feeling knowing we’re helping bring joy to children,” Ms Ryan added.