Christmas Shoeboxes needed soon

By Sandy Morris

Christmas shoebox season is here and several local congregations are participating in Operation Christmas Child as part of the Samaritan’s Purse Ministries.  

Local churches participating in the program this year include First Baptist Church, First Christian Church,  and First  United Methodist Church.

The purpose of the mission is to pick up a shoebox from a local participating church and fill the box with various gifts such as fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items.  

The website www.samaritanspurse.org has a number of resources including shoebox gift suggestions broken down by girls and boys and by age groups. 

“The website is an excellent resource for people to learn about this program,” said First Christian Church pastor Brad McBee. “It really shows how important this ministry is and how many children are touched by these gifts.”

The website also gives donors an option to participate by building a shoebox online.  

National collection week for Operation Christmas Child is Nov. 16 through Nov. 23, however, all local shoeboxes will need to be turned in by Sunday, Nov. 22. 

The closest drop-off location for the shoeboxes is at First Baptist Church in Abilene, and McBee and pastor Tim Trimble, Methodist pastor, will deliver the locally collected boxes on the morning of Nov. 23 to Abilene. 

This mission is open to anyone in the area, regardless of church affiliation, and shoeboxes may be picked up and returned to any participating church. 

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