Highland County residents helping to reach 10 million needy children this Christmas
This month, two locations in Highland County will serve as collection sites for Operation Christmas Child – the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind.
The annual project is a favorite of many County residents, families, churches and groups, who help spread joy to millions of children around the world by filling shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and notes of encouragement.
“Anyone can participate. Whether you are young or old, Operation Christmas Child is a fun project that makes a tangible difference in the life of a child facing difficult circumstances,” said Hillsboro volunteer Lela McWhorter.
Through local collection points, Highland County residents hope to contribute more than 5,500 gift-filled shoeboxes to the 2014 global goal of reaching 10 million needy children.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 113 million children in more than 150 countries. For many of these children, a gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.
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HIGHLAND COUNTY COLLECTION SITES
First United Methodist Church
133 E. Walnut Street
Hillsboro; 937-763-0870
Monday, Nov.17 – 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 18 – 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 19 – 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 20 – 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 21 – 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 22 – 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 23 – noon-4 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 24 – 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
First Baptist Church
250 Lafayette Street
Greenfield; 937-981-2705
Monday, Nov. 17 – 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 18 – 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 19 – 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 20 – 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 21 – 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 22 – 2 p.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 23 – 1:30 p.m.-4 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 24 – 10 a.m.-noon.
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. Through simple gifts and a message of hope through Jesus Christ, children learn they are loved and not forgotten.
For more information about how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call Helen Hiestand at 937-393-2790 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.
National Collection Week for gift-filled shoeboxes is Nov. 17-24; however, shoebox gifts are collected all year at the Samaritan’s Purse headquarters in Boone, North Carolina. Participants can also build a shoebox through an online tool offering a personalized and convenient way to send a gift to a child in one of the hardest-to-reach countries.
Using special tracking technology, participants can follow their boxes online and discover the country to which their gifts will be delivered to children in need. To register a shoebox gift, use the online donation form at www.samaritanspurse.org.