Co-ordinator Karen Reeman last week worked with volunteers to load the third truck from the region at Taree Baptist Church and then tallied the total number of boxes shipped.

“It’s 2442. It’s down on our 2719 for 2015 and short on our 3000 target,” Karen said.

“It’s a little disappointing and it’s surprising. We were really hoping to meet our target of 3000 and I thought we could achieve it.”

Karen said there could be a few reasons why the count was down.

“This year a large number of boxes were issued to individuals in the community and I’m wondering if they are still sitting in people’s homes, partly filled or full, and just not returned to us.

“Older members of our community tend to be involved in Operation Christmas Child and this year there were a lot of people with health issues. But I do feel this year is a turnover period from the older generation to a younger generation, although they are not that young!”

In recent months individuals, schools, churches and numerous organisations have promoted Operation Christmas Child and worked to fill boxes with items that represent something to love; something for school; something to wear; something to play with; something for personal hygiene and something special.

It is the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind and according to Samaritan’s Purse, the non-profit Christian organisation that drives the initiative, it uses gift-filled boxes to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world.

Karen said the Operation Christmas Child NSW target of 123,456 boxes looks like it would be achieved “despite our region being down”.

“If people have boxes at home please fill them and bring them to me – every box counts.”

Karen can be contacted on 0400 748 415.