Local volunteers are collecting simple shoebox gifts packed by children, families and individuals in Rowan County for Operation Christmas Child.
From here, the shoebox gifts will be sorted and sent by sea containers, trucks, buses, trains, airplanes, helicopters, boats, camels, even dog sleds to reach suffering children around the world.
“Operation Christmas Child is such an easy way to help children around the world and to share the good news,” said Miriam Koon, relay center coordinator.
Local collection sites include:
– St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 W. Innes St.
– Shiloh Reformed Church of Faith, 100 S. Main St., Faith.
– Catawba College, 2300 W. Innes St.
– South River United Methodist Church, 3880 South River Church Road, Woodleaf.
Local residents can join the effort to help the world’s largest Christmas project hand-deliver 8 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 90 countries suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, famine and poverty.
To get involved:
– Enlist families, churches, Scout troops, community groups and businesses to take part in creating shoebox gifts for needy children worldwide.
– Fill shoeboxes with school supplies, toys, necessity items, candy and a letter of encouragement. Step-by-step shoebox packing instructions are available at www.samaritanspurse.org.
– Sign up to join Operation Christmas Child volunteers at collection sites in Rowan County as part of the effort to prepare the gifts.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, has delivered more than 61 million gift-filled shoeboxes to needy children in 130 countries.
For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 704-583-1463 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org. National Collection Week is Nov. 17-24.