Waynesburg shoebox project underway
Volunteers from Oak View United Methodist Church near Waynesburg have joined with Samaritan’s Purse to hopefully collect more than 1,800 shoebox gifts for children living in impoverished areas around the world.
The shoebox drive this month called Operation Christmas Child is the largest Christmas project of its kind with more than 10 million shoeboxes filled with goodies, school supplies and personal hygiene items sent last year to children.
“Through the simple act of filling a shoebox, someone in Waynesburg can make a tangible difference in the life of a child halfway around the world,” said Jeff Berger, a regional manager for Samaritan’s Purse. “Anyone can participate and bring joy to a child facing difficult circumstances.”
Waynesburg has participated in the project for at least eight years. Last year, Waynesburg put together 1,572 shoeboxes for the project, Samaritan’s Purse spokesman Lucas Zeller said.
The goal this year was raised to 1,800 shoeboxes because the organization wants to increase participation by 15 percent over previous years, Zeller said.
“We hope that it connects Waynesburg to the project and the people who are doing it locally,” Zeller said.
The community is asked to fill the shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement for the children. Operation Christmas Child hopes to send 11 million shoeboxes to needy children.
National Collection Week for the shoeboxes will be from Nov. 16 to Nov. 23 at the Oak View United Methodist Church on Rolling Meadows Road in Franklin Township.
People can drop off the donations from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 16, 17, 18 and 20; from 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 19; noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 21; noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 22; and 9 to 10 a.m. Nov. 23.
Anyone can also pack an online personalized Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift on Samaritan’s Purse website. Go to samaritanspurse.org/occ to select toys and gift items, write a note of encouragement and “pack” them in a shoebox.
Participants can track their box to discover where their gift is delivered by using the donation form found at samaritanspurse.org/occ.
For more information about Operation Christmas Child, call 410-772-7360.