Gifts are delivered to children in need all around the world as part of the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child project. The national Operation Christmas Child “shoebox” Collection Week is November 13-21 and local donations can be dropped off at the Broken Bow Evangelical Free Church at 2079 Memorial Drive.
Local drop-off coordinator Kourtney Ogle will transport these love-filled boxes to North Platte, and from there Operation Christmas Child will take the boxes to Denver to be sent around the world.
The Samaritan’s Purse gift project is a tangible way to demonstrate God’s love and involves packing a shoebox with hygiene items, school supplies, toys, and other items for kids. The organization has sent shoebox gifts to more than 198 million children in more than 170 countries/territories since 1993.
In addition to the gift distribution, kids from around the world are invited to do a 12-lesson discipleship program with volunteers in their area to learn about Jesus and the Bible.
Boxes are sent all over the world, but a child will only receive a box one time. Whether it is a regular shoebox, a six-quart plastic box, or a pre-printed Operation Christmas Child-specific box, volunteers can pack new,
Quality items such as:
Toys (balls, yo-yos, cars, dolls)
Hair accessories
Socks
School supplies
Notebooks
Crayons,
Non-liquid hygiene items (bars of soap, washcloths, toothbrushes, etc.)
An important item to include is a “wow item” such as a doll, stuffed animal, a soccer ball with a pump, a pair of shoes, a clothing item, etc.
Prohibited Items:
Candy
Toothpaste
Gum,
Used/damaged items
War-related items such as toy soldiers or toy weapons
Seeds
Food
Liquids
Lotions
Medications
Vitamins
Breakables/glass
Aerosol cans.
Decide whether you will pack a box for a girl or a boy, and the age category: 2–4, 5–9, or 10–14.
Box labels, tracking labels, and instructions on how to pack a shoebox can be found on the Samaritan’s Purse website.
A $10 donation is also required for each shoebox. The donation covers shipping costs and also goes toward training local people in the churches to teach kids about Jesus and Gospel booklets.
Labels and donations can be completed online as well as build a shoebox online. Ogle told KCNI/KBBN it can be nice to include a note and picture and also encourages everyone to pray over their boxes. The goal for the local area is 1,000+ shoeboxes this year!
Drop Off Dates and Times at the Broken Bow E-Free Church:
Monday, November 13: 2-5 p.m.
Tuesday, November 14: 5-7 p.m.
Wednesday, November 15: 3-5 p.m.
Thursday, November 16: 5-7 p.m.
Friday, November 17: 8:30-11 a.m.
Saturday, November 18: 8:30-11 a.m.
Sunday, November 19: 2-4 p.m.
Monday, November 20: 8-10 a.m.
Once filled, shoeboxes can be dropped off at the Broken Bow Evangelical Free Church. Contact the church at 308-872-3000 or Kourtney Ogle at 308-870-1261 with any questions.
