For over 25 years, panhandle residents have been a part of Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse that shares the true meaning of Christmas with children in need around the world. Volunteers from the panhandle region will gather to kick off collection season—with a goal of packing 3700 shoeboxes with fun toys, school supplies and personal care items. These gift-filled shoeboxes will contribute to the project’s global goal of reaching more than 12 million children in Jesus’ Name.
This fall, area drop-off locations in Scottsbluff, Bridgeport, Alliance, Sidney, Kimball, and Sidney will be the first stop on a journey across the globe for thousands of gifts packed by local groups, individuals and families. Together with the church worldwide, Operation Christmas Child will collect and deliver these gifts to unreached children in need in more than 170 countries. Regional Drop-off locations and times can be found at https://samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations/
For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (308) 641-3471, or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. National Collection Week is Nov. 18 – 25. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.
Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 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. Hundreds, if not thousands, of villages and communities have been transformed through the shoebox program. “It is truly an amazing global ministry that changes lives.” Stated Kathy Welfl, Church Relations Coordinator for Operation Christmas Child in Gering. Kathy can be reached at the number shown above for questions and to provide guidance and resources.
MEDIA NOTE: For complete media materials including high-resolution downloadable photos, visit samaritanspurse.org/occnewsroom.