New Hampshire Community Church looking to spread joy

NEW HAMPSHIRE — At New Hampshire Community Church, community members are shipping shoeboxes for the annual Operation Christmas Child, a global effort to help children around the globe celebrate Christmas. Sunday marked the deadline for boxes to be dropped off .

Coordinator Laura Biederman said they normally have 60 to 80 boxes but expected that number to drop because of COVID-19.

She said countries need boxes more than ever due to the impact of the virus.

Inside the shoeboxes are a Gospel message and toys that are able to fit in the box, such as a deflated soccer ball, flip flops, coloring books and toy cars.

Biederman said those shipping the boxes can track where they end up so they have an idea of where they are making an impact.

Operation Christmas Child isn’t the only drive planned by the New Hampshire Community Church.

They are also planning a coat, hat and glove drive.

Biederman said organizations like the local National Honor Society help with coordinating drives for their food pantry as well.

The church also packs weekly snack bags for students at Waynesfield Goshen School.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The Samaritan’s Purse proj

has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts — filled with school supplies, hygiene items and toys — to children worldwide for more than two decades.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has col

lected and delivered more than 178 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries.

“Much of the world has been gripped with fear and this is especially hard for children,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Now more than ever, these boys and girls need to know God loves them. Operation Christmas Child delivers the hope found only in Jesus Christ.”