Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week is November 17th-24th!

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children around the world to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 230 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 180 countries and territories. Once a shoebox is received by a child, the door is opened for them to attend a program called The Greatest Journey where they learn more about the Gospels. At the completion of the program, each child receives a Bible in their native language. Thousands of villages and communities have been transformed through the shoebox program. “It is truly an amazing global ministry that changes lives. It’s something we can all do right here in our hometowns knowing we’re making a difference for children and families throughout the world.” Stated Yvonne Lease, the Area Coordinate for Operation Christmas Child.

Volunteers from the panhandle region will soon be packing shoeboxes filled with school supplies, personal care items and fun toys in preparation of National Collection Week – November 17-24.

The drop-off locations for our area during National Collection Week are:

Harvest Valley Church in Scottsbluff

Alliance Berean Church in Alliance

Evangelical Free Church in Sidney

Trinity United Methodist Church in Kimball

For more information on how to pack a shoebox and ways to participate with Operation Christmas Child visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Participants can also join the “Follow Your Box” program and receive a tracking label to discover a shoebox’s destination.

Yvonne Lease and Kathy Welfl can be contacted for questions and to assist with resources, shoeboxes and guidance. Yvonne Lease, Area Coordinator: (308) 262-0358. Kathy Welfl, Church Relations Coordinator: (308) 641-3471.