Effingham residents prepare shoeboxes for Christmas

The holidays are fast approaching and thoughts of gifts are coming to mind.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an worldwide Christian relief and evangelism organization.

Sarann Weeks, who organizes the event, has put out the word that reservations now are being accepted for the meal and must be made by 5 p.m. on November 22.

Suggested shoebox fillers include: small toys such as trucks, yoyos, puzzles, or dolls, school supplies, hygiene items, gloves, scarves, caps, jewelry, hair accessories, etc. All of the boxes are collected nationwide this week.

First Baptist Church of Thurmont, 7 Sunny Way, Thurmont.

Speed, who lives in Cascade, said she got involved with the program 10 years ago. “Majority have never even received a gift at all”. “They might never have received a gift”.

Julie Hinrichs, who’s been packing the shoeboxes for the past eight years, was working alongside others at the church Tuesday afternoon, preparing the boxes for shipment.

Comox Pentecostal Church once again is the local collection centre where shoeboxes can be dropped off during the days, until Saturday, Nov. 19. NW, Cedar Rapids, and Grace Community Church, 2707 Dubuque St. NE, North Liberty.

The gifts will be distributed through Operation Christmas Child to needy children across the globe. Kalpakjian did not know where boxes from Idaho would be sent this year.

The gifts make a difference, Speed said, especially for the children in areas impacted by war, extreme poverty or natural disaster.

“It’s fantastic to think that Gretna, a small town in middle America, can reach a child and maybe transform a village halfway around the world”, Pruch said. “I don’t have to ask for volunteers”, she said.

Go to https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child for shoebox collection sites in your area and for more information.

“This week the Calhoun community is focused on making a difference in the lives of children facing hard circumstances”, said regional leader Brandon Ward.