It’s Operation Christmas Child time again! OCC is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, which reaches children around the world with the Gospel through a simple shoebox filled with new toys and school supplies. Not many of us will have the chance to travel to another country as missionaries but OCC allows us to be the hands and feet of Jesus to children in another country. National Collection Week is November 17-23.
The process is simple:
- Pick up a shoebox (or several shoeboxes) from the OCC table in the lobby.
- Go shopping and fill your shoebox with new toys and school supplies.
- Return the shoebox to the table in the lobby on or before November 23rd.
If you would rather not go shopping you can pack a shoe box from the comfort of your chair at samaritanspurse.org, where you will find “Build a Shoebox” instructions.
During our worship service on November 23rd, all of the shoeboxes we collect will be blessed before they begin their journey overseas. The shoeboxes will then be taken over to our Family Center (white bldg.), an OCC Drop Off Center, where they’ll be packed in large cartons, driven to Big Flats, NY, loaded onto a tractor trailer, and sent to Baltimore, MD for shipping overseas.
BG has been a Drop Off Center for our area for more than 20 years. Annually, we have collected between 657 and 1813 shoeboxes here.
Last year BG packed 94 shoeboxes. I would like to see us help even more children this year. Consider sending more boxes. If you are a member of a group, consider having your group do a shoebox project.
Volunteers to help at the Drop Off Center are always welcome. There are many shifts available throughout the week. We especially need strong volunteers who can load cartons of shoeboxes on Sunday, November 23rd from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (lunch and snacks provided). Visit the lobby table to sign up for a shift if you are interested. Please contact me if you have any questions: bmasser@icsd.k12.ny.us, 607-273-9278 (landline), or 607-279-9683 (cell).
