Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 188 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories. This will be the first year that local residents will have a drop-off location right here in Washita County. The Herold Mennonite Church in Bessie will be accepting shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child beginning November 15th.
Cordell resident, Debbie Holland, has served as the Logistics Coordinator for the Southwest Oklahoma area for the past 6 years.
Debbie told us that there are several drop-off locations around the area and is very happy to have the Herold Mennonite Church dedicate their time and facilities to offer Washita County residents a closer drop-off for Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts this year.
She explained “If anyone wants to make a difference in a child’s eyes, this is an easy way to do it.”
More than 4,000 locations will open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project beginning Monday, November 15th. Additional drop-off locations can be found at www.samaritanspurse.org.
What is Operation Christmas Child? Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts—filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys—to children worldwide since 1993.
From children to seniors, people pack shoebox gifts each year to bless children in need around the world.
Each year, churches and groups of all sizes collect boxes from their communities. Over 4000 locations, such as Herold Mennonite Church in Bessie, open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project the third week of November every year.
Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, 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.
“In the midst of the pandemic, children around the world need to know that God loves them and there is hope,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse.
“A simple shoebox gift opens the door to share about the true hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”
What is a ‘Shoebox Gift’? A shoebox gift is a plastic or average-size cardboard shoe box filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys. You can be festive and decorate the boxes in holiday theme, but decorating is not necessary.
If you decide to decorate the shoebox, wrap the top and bottom of the box separately so that the box can still be opened from the top.
Plastic shoe boxes can be purchased at area stores such as Dollar General, Wal-Mart or Hobby Lobby.
You can also repurpose average size cardboard shoe boxes to create your shoebox gift. Please refrain from using overly large shoeboxes such asthose for boots.
Select one “WOW” item such as a deflated sports ball with an air pump, doll, stuffed animal, clothing, small musical item like a harmonica or recorder, or like items that will fit inside the shoe box.
Add additional items to fill the box with any hygiene items that DO NOT have expiration dates, school supplies, clothing, accessories, and toys. You can find a larger list of gift ideas at www.samaritanpurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box.
The Herold Mennonite Church is located at 11422 N 2280 Road in Bessie. Drop-offs can be made at the Fellowship Center at the north end of the church.
The Fellowship Center is the newer building with a covered drive and will have signs to identify the drop location.
The drop-off will be open Monday, November 15th through Saturday, November 20th from 9-11 am and on Sunday, November 21st from 3-5 pm. On Monday, November 22nd there will still be some time for last minute drops from 9-11 am, however, please keep in mind that this is the time that our local volunteers will be getting everything packed up to go.
If you would like more information regarding ‘Operation Christmas Child’, feel free to contact Debbie Holland at (580)515-4865 or Keith Koch at (580) 515-0846.