Local congregations collecting for shoebox programs

By Kathy Thomson

Congregations at First Christian Church and United Methodist Church are collecting shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse annual Operation Christmas Child, while a group at First Baptist Church is packing shoeboxes for Crossing Borders ministry. Everyone in the community is invited to participate in either of the missions.

Both of the missions are designed to provide underprivileged children with a shoebox full of gifts for Christmas, both to brighten their world and to show them love.

Samaritan’s Purse sends the boxes around the world, while Crossing Borders concentrates on children in Mexico.

Samaritan’s Purse

Abilene is the nearest drop-off location for Samaritan’s Purse, and First Christian pastor Brad McBee will deliver locally collected shoeboxes to First Baptist Church in Abilene on Nov. 18, so boxes need to be delivered to First Christian Church by Sunday, Nov. 17.

“We have plenty of empty boxes available, so if anyone needs to pick one up, they can just stop by,” said McBee. “It’s a great program. We delivered around 75 boxes last year.”

Globally, Samaritan’s Purse sent over 10 million of the boxes to children last year.

The shoebox gifts are filled with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items to share God’s love with millions of boys and girls around the world through the Samaritan’s Purse project. Donors are also asked to contribute $9 per box to cover the costs of shipping. 

Because the boxes are distributed around the world, participants should read the list of items that should not be included and avoid packing things not allowed through customs and that may not be appropriate for some children.

For information on packing a shoebox, go to samaritanspurse.org.

Crossing Borders

Churches, Crossing Borders alumni, and other individuals and organizations fill shoeboxes with gifts and necessity items for the children and staff workers at homes for orphaned and foster children, and for kids living in poverty-stricken villages in Mexico.

The shoeboxes are personally delivered by volunteer participants, and members of the delivery group spend the day in Mexico playing, laughing, and sharing Bible lessons with children and families.

Donors are invited to take part in the delivery trip, which usually takes place in mid-December.

For information on packing a shoebox for Crossing Borders or to find out about traveling with the mission group, go to cbmission.org/shoebox.html.