Operation Christmas Child

So, apparently I've been living under a rock because I've never heard of this before. I was recently introduced to Samaritan's Purse at church when our congregation decided to participate by giving our filled shoe boxes. I went online to get some information to share on my blog but I found an awesome article that was posted on another website. Here's the article ...

Operation Christmas child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, Franklin Graham, president, is urging you to start decorating your shoe boxes, filling them to the brim with gifts of love for hurting children in the United States and around the world.

Many of these children suffer because of natural disaster, disease, war, terrorism, famine and poverty. Also, from many of these children, the shoe box gift will be the first gift they have every received.

Operation Christmas Child plans to hand-deliver shoe box gifts to more than eight million struggling children in 100 countries this year, including the United States.

Samaritan’s Purse distributes Christian literature in a child’s own language along with the shoe box gifts so that children might come to know the true meaning of Christmas. Shoe boxes are a very personal way to let children know they are cared about and that God loves them.

First Baptist Church at Pattonsburg is pleased that this will be their fifth year as a Relay Center (within a 45-minute radius).

The National Collection Week is from Monday, Nov. 15, to Monday morning, Nov. 22. Hours of operation for the Pattonsburg Relay Center during National Collection Week are from 1-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, Nov. 15 to 19; from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20; and from 1-6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21; and from 9-10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 22.

Select an age category for a boy or girl you would like to help: 2-4; 5-9; or 10-14 years-old.

Gifts should be new; no liquid or candy that would melt (place hard candy in baggies); no glass or breakable items (such as porcelain figurines). Popular items include small toys, stuffed animals, balls, games, T-shirts, coloring books, school supplies, and hygiene items such as soap, toothbrush and toothpaste. The children also enjoy personal notes and family photos. Send $7 as postage for each box, made out to Samaritan’s Purse.

May God bless each of you who show these children that they are loved and not forgotten.

Additional questions may be answered by calling: Pastor Jeremiah Bradford, First Baptist Church, 660-367-2391; email jeremiah80@hotmail.com; or Relay Center coordinator Elanor Best at 660-367-2142. Instructions on how to fill a box are available at www.samaritanspurse.org.

Source