Operation Christmas Child helps those in need
Individuals, families and churches all over Hot Springs and the surrounding areas are set to help fill shoeboxes with gifts for children in need around the world as part of Operation Christmas Child.
“Operation Christmas Child is a Christmas project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham,” according to the press release.
This year Samaritan’s Purse has set a goal of 10 million shoeboxes. People from all over the United States and many countries around the world collect small toys, toiletries, school supplies and more to give to the kids. In the United States alone, there are more than 4,000 dropoff sites for the boxes. Children from over 150 countries have received shoeboxes since the project started in 1993.
Children who get the boxes also participate in a 12 lesson program called The Greatest Journey. It is a discipleship program to help kids “know and follow Jesus,” according to the press release.
This year’s National Collection week will be Nov. 17-24. Individual drop off locations may have earlier deadlines in order to prepare the boxes. Donors can go online to http://www. samaritanspurse.org to create a label that will allow individuals to follow their own box. The website also allows for online “packing.”
Churches taking part in this year’s Operation Christmas Child collection include, Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, 841 Quapaw Ave., Woodland’s Presbyterian Church, 11 Ecuestre Drive, Hot Springs Village, Second Baptist Church, 815 S. 12th Street, Arkadelphia, and Lake Ouachita Baptist Church, 3586 Highway 270 east, Mount Ida.