Volunteers are preparing to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov. 18-25. More than 4,700 drop-off locations will open across the country in November, and shoebox packers can find their local drop-off locations nearest them.
In Newcastle, First Baptist Church, 1650 N. Main Street, is a drop off location. Hours are: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, November 18 through Friday, November 22; or, 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, November 23; from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday, November 24; and, 9-11 a.m. on Monday, November 25.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering giftfilled shoeboxes to children including many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster. Operation Christmas Child hopes to reach another 12 million children in 2024 with the hope of Jesus.
Shoebox packing is fun for individuals, families and groups! Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox at www.samaritanspurse. org. The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.
“Children need hope, and they need to know that they are not alone and God loves them,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Gift-filled shoeboxes open the door for us to share the hope of the Gospel with boys and girls around the world. Please pray that these simple gifts have an eternal impact.”
Operation Christmas Child seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered more than 220 million shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.
