Locals Collect for Operation Christmas Child

This week families, churches and groups in Lavonia will pack gifts during Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week.

Collection points are now open to receive colorfully wrapped shoebox gifts packed by local residents.

In 2015, the project hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach more than 11 million children, with many coming from the Franklin, Hart, Stephens and Oconee County, SC areas.

Dana Williams is the spokesperson for the annual Samaritan’s Purse shoebox effort.

Williams said there is still time this week to pack a shoebox or two with goodies for a deserving child overseas.

“Anybody can participate. It is a simple project. You just take a standard sized shoe box, and fill it with items, like a ball or a doll, and other fun toys, and hygene items, and school supplies, and just put those in the box. You have decide whether your box will be for a boy or a girl, and what age it will be for, and bring it to a drop off site this week.”

Participants are also encouraged to add a photo and/or a personal note to the child and if you like, you can also make a $7 donation to help pay for shipping.
Williams adds to avoid packing candy or food of any kind, or any liquids.

Also, make sure the toys you pack are unbreakable.

After being dropped off at a local collection site, Williams said the boxes will make the long journey overseas, traveling by any means necessary—boat, plane, train and even elephant—until they reach the hands of children in need.

Williams said the delivery could take weeks, even months to reach their destination.

In our area, you can drop your shoeboxes off at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Lavonia, Cornerstone Baptist Church in Hartwell, First Baptist Church in Royston, First Presbyterian Church in Toccoa, and New Hope Baptist Church in Seneca.

Since 1993, the project has delivered shoebox gifts to more than 124 million children in over 150 countries and territories.