Local volunteers join Samaritan's Purse to collect shoebox gifts for children in poverty overseas
This month, two locations in Highland County area will serve as collection sites for Operation Christmas Child – the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind.
The annual Samaritan’s Purse project is a favorite of many county residents, families, churches and groups who spread joy to millions of children around the world by filling shoeboxes with a “wow!” item – such as a doll or soccer ball –nother fun toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement.
“Through the simple act of filling a shoebox, someone can make a tangible difference in the life of a child halfway around the world. Anyone can participate and bring joy to a child facing difficult circumstances,” said Hillsboro volunteer Alexis Kirk, who has participated in Operation Christmas Child for six years.
During National Collection Week, Nov. 16-23, volunteers from the South Central Ohio Area, comprised of Adams, Brown, Clinton, Fayette and Highland counties, hope to collect 12,300 gift-filled shoeboxes toward the 2015 global goal of reaching 11 million children in need.
Highland County collection sites
• First United Methodist Church
133 E Walnut St.
Hillsboro; 937-763-0870
Hours
Monday – 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tuesday – 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Wednesday – 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Thursday – 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Friday – 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday – 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday – noon-4 p.m.
Monday – 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
• First Baptist Church
250 Lafayette St.
Greenfield; 937-981-2705
Hours
Monday – 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday – 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday – 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Thursday – 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Friday – 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Saturday – 2-4 p.m.
Sunday – 1:30-4 p.m.
Monday – 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. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 124 million children in more than 150 countries and territories. For many of these children, a gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.
For more information about how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call Helen Hiestand at 937-725-8192. With a computer or mobile device, anyone can conveniently pack a personalized Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift on the Samaritan’s Purse website. Go to samaritanspurse.org/occ to select toys and gift items, write a note of encouragement and “pack” them in a shoebox. Using special tracking technology, participants can follow their box to discover where in the world their gift is delivered by using the donation form found at samaritanspurse.org/occ. These gifts of hope will go to children in some of the hardest-to-reach countries.