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For the 10th year Ardmore’s First Christian Church will be the relay center for the collection of Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas relief project.
Area children, families, churches, businesses, schools, scouts and civic organizations are urged to join the effort that sends shoe box Christmas gifts to children suffering from disease, famine, war, terrorism and natural disasters throughout the world.
“My shoe box gift might be the only gift a child has ever received. A shoe box can make a difference. It lets children know that someone really does care about them,” said Jerrie Williams, who has been participating in the local program for the past four years.
Operation Christmas Child began in 1993 and is a project of the international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse. Since it’s inception the project has collected and hand-delivered more than 61 million shoe box gifts to children in need in 130 countries. The local FCC congregation has been a collection leader in the area-wide effort since 1999.
Helen Thomason, who serves as the area coordinator for Operation Christmas Child, said the project not only aides children in need it also gives the gifts of learning and sharing to local children who participate in the project.
“This is a wonderful chance to teach children in this country about generosity and compassion and bring hope and joy to hurting children in other countries,” she said.
Although the collection week is Nov. 16-22, Thomason said the time to start filling shoe boxes is now. Participants are urged to fill shoe boxes with toys, necessity items, school supplies, candy and a letter of encouragement. If possible, participants are also asked to provide $7 for shipping costs.
FFC, located at 515 Maxwell St. will be the collection center.
Those with questions or who wish to participate should call the church at (580) 223-8462 and leave a message on the answering machine or call Thomason at (580) 795-2049 or (580) 263-8638. More information about Operation Christmas Child is also available online at www.samaritanspurse.org.
For the 10th year Ardmore’s First Christian Church will be the relay center for the collection of Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas relief project.
Area children, families, churches, businesses, schools, scouts and civic organizations are urged to join the effort that sends shoe box Christmas gifts to children suffering from disease, famine, war, terrorism and natural disasters throughout the world.
“My shoe box gift might be the only gift a child has ever received. A shoe box can make a difference. It lets children know that someone really does care about them,” said Jerrie Williams, who has been participating in the local program for the past four years.
Operation Christmas Child began in 1993 and is a project of the international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse. Since it’s inception the project has collected and hand-delivered more than 61 million shoe box gifts to children in need in 130 countries. The local FCC congregation has been a collection leader in the area-wide effort since 1999.
Helen Thomason, who serves as the area coordinator for Operation Christmas Child, said the project not only aides children in need it also gives the gifts of learning and sharing to local children who participate in the project.
“This is a wonderful chance to teach children in this country about generosity and compassion and bring hope and joy to hurting children in other countries,” she said.
Although the collection week is Nov. 16-22, Thomason said the time to start filling shoe boxes is now. Participants are urged to fill shoe boxes with toys, necessity items, school supplies, candy and a letter of encouragement. If possible, participants are also asked to provide $7 for shipping costs.
FFC, located at 515 Maxwell St. will be the collection center.
Those with questions or who wish to participate should call the church at (580) 223-8462 and leave a message on the answering machine or call Thomason at (580) 795-2049 or (580) 263-8638. More information about Operation Christmas Child is also available online at www.samaritanspurse.org.
