It’s Operation Christmas Child time again! This is definitely one of my favorite ministry activities. Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse which reaches children around the world with the Gospel message through a simple shoebox filled with new toys and school supplies.
Not many of us will have the chance to travel to another country and do missionary work but Operation Christmas Child gives each one of us the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus and reach across the oceans to connect with a child in another country.
National Collection Week runs from November 18th to 25th.
The process is simple:
Pick up a shoebox (or several shoeboxes) from the Operation Christmas Child table in the foyer.
Go shopping and fill your shoebox with new toys and school supplies.
Return the shoebox to the table in the foyer on or before November 24th.
If you would rather not go shopping you can go online to Operation Christmas Child’s “Build a Shoebox” instructions.
During our worship service on November 24th, all of the shoeboxes we collect will be blessed before they begin their journey overseas. They will be taken over to our Family Center, where volunteers will pack them into cartons and haul them to Big Flats, NY. They will be shipped internationally from Baltimore.
BG has been a Drop Off Center for our area for more than 20 years, collecting between 600 and 1800 shoeboxes per year. BG packed 107 shoeboxes last year, and I would like to see us help even more. If you packed one shoebox, consider doing two or more this year. 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, with many shifts available. Strong volunteers who can load cartons are especially needed on Sunday, November 24th from 12:30 to 2:30 pm (lunch and snacks provided). Contact me to sign up for a shift in the lobby, at bmasser@icsd.k12.ny.us, or at 607-279-9683.