BAXTER - Baxter will serve as a collection site for Operation Christmas Child, the world's largest Christmas project of its kind, during National Collection Week scheduled Nov. 16-23. The annual Samaritan's Purse project is a way for residents, families, churches and groups who want to spread joy to millions of children around the world by filling shoeboxes with an item, such as a doll, soccer ball or other fun toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement.
"Through the simple act of filling a shoebox, someone in Baxter 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 Regional Director Nicole Sheldon said in a press release.
During National Collection Week, anyone can drop off a gift-filled shoebox to send to a child overseas. Baxter residents hope to contribute more than 10,700 shoebox gifts from surrounding counties to the 2015 global goal of reaching 11 million children in need.
The drop-off site will be at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church, 6284 Fairview Road Baxter. Times are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16-17, Nov. 20; 5-8 p.m. Nov. 18; noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 19; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 21 and 23; and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 22. Hours are subject to change. Go to samaritanspurse.org/occ for a full list of area collection locations.
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.
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For more information about how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 612-359-7025. With a computer or mobile device, go to samaritanspurse.org/occnyone to conveniently pack a personalized Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift on the Samaritan's Purse website. Residents can select toys and gift items, write a note of encouragement and pack them in a shoebox. These gifts of hope will go to children in some of the hardest-to-reach countries.
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 on the website.
