BROKEN BOW—Promoting “good news and great joy” is Operation Christmas Child with this year’s national collection week taking place November 18 through November 25.
The Samaritan’s Purse shoebox gift project involves packing a shoebox with hygiene items, school supplies, toys, or even clothes. You may be surprised with how much you can fit in a regular-sized shoebox!
Local Drop-Off Center Coordinator Fae Beaumont has been involved with Operation Christmas Child since 2006 for Custer County and the surrounding area. A total of approximately 11 million shoe boxes were collected last year and were taken to about 100 countries around the world, from Albania to Zimbabwe and many countries in between.
“They deliver them to children in need around the world. This is a demonstration of God’s love in a tangible way,” Beaumont said.
A regular shoebox can be used, a six-quart plastic box, or an Operation Christmas Child specific box which can be obtained from Beaumont. Items needed are school supplies, pencils, notebooks, crayons, bars of soap, washcloths, and toothbrushes. Beaumont said a box should also include a “wow item” to catch the child’s eye right away; a doll, stuffed animals, a little soccer ball, etc.
Prohibited items include candy or toothpaste, war related items, used/damaged items, liquids, and breakables.
Volunteers can choose to buy for a boy or a girl and choose the age group of 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14 years old. Handwritten letters and pictures are also encouraged. Beaumont said boxes are sent all over the world, but that a child will only receive a box one time.
“They expect each child to only ever get one shoebox in their lifetime. So they don’t go back to the same place only every 12 or 14 years,” Beaumont said.
Donations will be accepted at Third City Christian Church at (831 Buffalo Run Road, Broken Bow) the following dates and times:
Monday, November 18: 8-10 a.m.
Tuesday, November 19: 2-4 p.m.
Wednesday, November 20: 8-10 a.m.
Thursday, November 21: 2-5 p.m.
Friday, November 22: 5-7 p.m.
Saturday, November 23: 2-4 p.m.
Sunday, November 24: 12-3 p.m.
Monday, November 25: 8-10 a.m.
A $9 donation is also required in addition to a shoebox. Call Fae Beaumont at 308-870-6122 to learn more and to get an informational brochure.
