Planning meeting scheduled at Bellview Baptist Church for Operation Christmas Child

Since 1990, more than 124 million boys and girls in more than 150 countries have experienced the power of simple shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child (OCC).

OCC is a program of Samaritan’s Purse, a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. Since 1970, Samaritan’s Purse has helped meet needs of people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease, and famine.

For several years, a number of Polk County churches, individuals and groups annually participate in this program.

These individuals work throughout the year to plan and provide funds for individual and group participation in support of the international effort.

Gina Brown, area coordinator, has announced the annual Polk county Operation Christmas Child Project Leader event will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 18 at Bellview Baptist Church, located 2333 N Bellview Rd, Rockmart.

She encourages past participants or people who would like to get involved to attend this meeting.

Information will be shared about the ministry and ideas about how to generate more shoeboxes.

Churches, civic groups, scouts, schools, businesses and individuals are invited to join in the 2016 goal to reach children around the world with the Gospel message of love.

National Collection Week will be Nov. 1421. This is the time traditionally set for participants to drop off shoeboxes that will be distributed around the world.

More than 500,000 volunteers worldwide, with more than 100,000 of those in the United States, are involved in collecting, shipping, and distributing shoebox gifts.