Nearly 3,400 children will soon experience the joy of Christmas, thanks to the combined efforts of those in Aroostook County and surrounding areas, and residents can still pitch in to bring a gift to a child a world away.
During Operation Christmas Child’s national collection week, Nov. 16-23, area residents and those from surrounding counties generously donated 3,400 gift-filled shoeboxes for children in need. The packages featured small items like toys, school supplies and hygiene items, and are on their way to children living in difficult situations around the world.
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. Since 1993, gift-filled shoeboxes have been delivered to more than 124 million children in more than 150 countries and territories.
For those who missed collection week, it’s not too late to participate. With a computer or mobile device, anyone can still conveniently pack a personalized Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift on the Samaritan’s Purse website, samaritanspurse.org/occ. Donors can select the age and gender of a child to help, shop through an online selection of gifts, “build” the shoebox, write a note of encouragement and upload a photo.
This year, these gifts will be added to those collected in nine countries so more than 11 million children can receive a personalized gift from people who want them to know they are loved and not forgotten.
After the shoeboxes are packed and sent by the Operation Christmas Child team, participants can discover where in the world their gifts will be delivered. It is a convenient yet meaningful way to join in a project that brings hope to children in need.
For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 518-437-0690 or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.
