Operation Christmas Child set to get underway locally
It’s just 10 days before collection begins locally for Operation Christmas Child’s Love in a Shoebox, a national program that delivers Christmas packages to children in desperate situations around the world. “We’re expecting 10,000 shoeboxes – that’s our goal – but I think we’re going over,’ said Susan Jennings, area coordinator. “It looks like it from all indications. We have really dedicated people and more drop-off sites. I’ve already started taking shoeboxes in from people who can’t hang on to them. We probably have 100 already.’
Operation Christmas Child is operated by Samaritan’s Purse, led by Franklin Graham, son of legendary evangelist Billy Graham. Operation Christmas Child delivers Christmas packages to children throughout the world who suffer from war, poverty, disease and natural disaster.
The program makes use of shoeboxes, which are wrapped in colorful holiday paper and then filled with small toys, school supplies, hygiene items and hard candy.
A fact sheet provided by Operation Christmas Child revealed the organization touched the lives of more than 5 million children in 94 countries in 2001, including Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, El Salvador and the Philippines. Since 1993, the program has delivered more than 18 million shoeboxes to children in 112 countries.
Locally, 184 churches, schools, individuals and organizations participated in Operation Christmas Child in 2001, collecting 6,070 shoeboxes. The good reception prompted local officials to raise the goal to 10,000 shoeboxes this year.
Great Bethel Baptist Church in Uniontown is the designated collection center for the area but there are a number of drop-off sites where boxes will be collected during the week of Nov. 18-24.
Anyone wishing to participate in the program can drop off his or her shoeboxes at the following sites during these hours of operation:
Great Bethel Baptist Church, 47 W. Fayette St., Uniontown, 724-437-6161. Contact: Susan Jennings, 724-437-0815. Shoeboxes are accepted Nov. 18-25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
World Christian Outreach Ministries, 503 W. Georgia Ave., Connellsville, 724-628-9285. Contact: Ruth Smith. Shoeboxes are accepted Nov. 18-23 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Nov. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Lower Ten Mile Presbyterian Church, Route 19, Amity Ridge Road, Amity. Contact: Fern Tennant, 724-222-0231. Shoeboxes will be accepted Nov. 18-23 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and Nov. 24 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Everson Evangelical Church, 414 Painter St., Everson, 724-887-7633. Contact: Tina Graft, 724-529-0664. Shoeboxes will be accepted Nov. 18-23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Nov. 24 from 1 to 3 p.m.
Clinton Church of God, 406 Buchanan Road, Normalville, 724-626-1643. Contact: The Rev. Joseph Wingrove. Shoeboxes are collected Nov. 18-24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
New Life Covenant Church, 4809 National Pike, Markleysburg, 724-329-4945. Contacts: Teresa Christman or Kathy Steele. Shoeboxes will be collected Nov. 18-22 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 23 from 8 a.m. to noon and Nov. 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Meyersdale United Methodist Churches, 336 Main St., Meyersdale, 814-634-5759. Contact: The Rev. Joe Onder. Shoeboxes will be collected Nov. 18-24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Rockwood United Church of Christ, 621 W. Broadway, Rockwood. Contact: Tammy Breegle, 814-926-2104. Shoeboxes will be collected Nov. 18-22 from 6 to 9 p.m., Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Nov. 24 from 1 to 5 p.m.
Participants who are filling shoeboxes should remember there are items that are not acceptable. Do no include used items, war-related items (such as toy guns and knives), perishable items (chocolate), liquids (shampoo, lotion, bubbles), medicines or breakable items. The shoeboxes should be marked for a boy or girl in these age groups: 2 to 4, 5 to 9 or 10 to 14.
Donors are also asked to contribute $5 for each shoebox they fill to pay shipping costs.