Operation Christmas Child seeks donations to fill shoe boxes

Families, churches and organizations in Willoughby are busy gathering materials to fill empty shoe boxes, which will be shipped to needy children around the world.

Willoughby is one of 5,000 locations across the U.S. that will host drop-off locations for shoe-box gifts items such as toys, schools supplies and hygiene items during Operation Christmas Child’s national collection week of Nov. 12-19.

According to a news release from the Samaritan’s Purse, it’s hopeful that this year Willoughby area residents will collect more than 11,000 gifts to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching 11 million children.

The Samaritan’s Purse project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver gifts to children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine.

On Sept. 17, students at Cornerstone Christian Academy in Willoughby Hills had the opportunity to hear from a former shoebox recipient.

Ives Dushime, now a spokesperson for Operation Christmas Child, received a shoe-box gift at the age of 11 when living in Congo, Africa, with his family who were refugees of the Rwandan genocide.

Dushime spoke to the students on how receiving a shoe-box filled with basic necessities and some toys changed his life.

According to the news release, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 157 million gift-filled shoe-boxes to children in more than 160 countries since being founded in 1993.

For locations of drop-off sites, check out the drop-off locator online.

Gift-filled shoe boxes can be mailed year-round to Operation Christmas Child, 801 Bamboo Road, Boone, NC 28607.

Those who want to participate without going to a drop off location can make a $9 donation online through the ‘Follow Your Box’ program, and a shoe box will be shipped.

Also, for those who find online shopping more convenient, there is the option to build a shoe box by selecting gifts which can be matched to a child’s specific age and gender. The sender also has the option to finish the box with a photo and personal note of encouragement to the child.

“We are honored to be linking arms with our community to help children around the world experience the true meaning of Christmas,” Regional Director David Zimmerman said. “These simple gifts show God’s love to children facing difficult circumstances.”

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 937-374-0761 or visit www. samaritanspurse.org/occ.

SUBMITTED Operation Christmas Child has sent shoe-boxes filled with gifts to needy children all over the world since 1993.