How to participate in Operation Christmas Child
Anyone is welcome to participate in Operation Christmas Child, which is collecting shoeboxes filled with presents and wrapped in holiday paper, starting Monday, Nov. 18. Local collection sites include: 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.