The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Local churches accepting shoebox gifts
ONEIDA, N.Y. >> Two Madison County municipalities will be among 5,000 U.S. drop-off locations collecting shoebox gifts for children overseas during Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week, Nov. 12-19.
Oneida families, churches and groups are busy transforming empty shoeboxes into fun gifts filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items. The Samaritan’s Purse project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver the gifts to children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine. For many of these children, it will be the first gift they have ever received.
This year, local residents hope to collect more than 11,219 gifts to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching 11 million children.
“We are honored to be linking arms with our community to help children around the world experience the true meaning of Christmas,” said Regional Director Cecil Pollydore, “These simple gifts show God’s love to children facing difficult circumstances.”
Local collection sites include:
Canastota
United Church of Canastota, 144 Center St. Monday, Nov. 12: 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14: 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16: 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17: 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, Nov. 18: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m
Monday, Nov. 19: 9-11 a.m.
Eaton
Resurrection Life Fellowship Church, 3191 Cole Road
Monday, Nov. 12: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 17: 10a.m. to noon
Sunday, Nov. 18: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 19: 9-11 a.m.
For additional drop-off locations, visit www.samaritanspurse.org.
Formore information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 518-437-0690, or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Participants can donate $9 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Those who prefer the convenience of online shop- United Church of Canastota, 144 Center St., Canastota, and Resurrection Life Fellowship Church, 3191 Cole Road, Eaton, will be drop-off sites for Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week from Nov. 12-19, 2018. ping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age andgender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.