SCIOTO — Halloween is over, Thanksgiving is soon approaching, and Christmas will then follow, and with that comes for many, great anticipation, however, not everyone looks forward to Christmas due to a great need.
The Operation Christmas Child (Samaritan’s Purse) is a program that helps to bring Christmas joy to children who would not otherwise have anything for Christmas.
The Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child collects shoebox gifts‑filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items—and delivers them to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way. For many of these children, the gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, has collected and delivered more than 178 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 160 countries and territories. In 2020, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 11 million children in countries like Peru, the Philippines, Rwanda and Ukraine.
The time is now approaching for dropping off the shoeboxes that many churches, groups and individuals have graciously filled and prepared, so they may be ready to send to those who may not have ever received any such gifts. It’s not too late to get involved and if you missed previous stories on how you can help, you can go to https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child.
Beginning on Nov. 16 and running through Nov. 23, there are several local drop-off dates and sites.
Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts—filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys—to children worldwide for more than two decades. This is a project that everyone can still be a part of, even with COVID-19 restrictions.
“In the midst of the pandemic, the needs are greater than ever before,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Children around the world need to know that God loves them and there is hope. A simple shoebox gift opens the door to share the true hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”
When you arrive at your drop-off location, follow the signs for curbside drop off. A volunteer wearing a mask will greet you and direct you to an outside area where they will retrieve your shoeboxes. Volunteers will also present you with a touchless way to leave your contact information and the number of shoeboxes that you are dropping off.
Curbside Drop-Off Sites to Open for Operation Christmas Child:
Portsmouth, OH – Temple Baptist Church
1148 Gallia Street Portsmouth, OH 45662-4196
Mon, Nov. 16: 3 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Tue, Nov. 17: 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Wed, Nov. 18: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Thu, Nov. 19: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Fri, Nov. 20: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 21: 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Sun, Nov. 22: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Mon, Nov. 23: 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Wheelersburg, OH – First Church of Christ
1224 Dogwood Ridge Road Wheelersburg, OH 45694-9221
Mon, Nov. 16: 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tue, Nov. 17: 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Wed, Nov. 18: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Thu, Nov. 19: 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Fri, Nov. 20: 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 21: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sun, Nov. 22: 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Mon, Nov. 23: 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
West Portsmouth, OH – Nauvoo United Methodist Church
1410 fifth Street West Portsmouth, OH 45663-6110
Mon, Nov. 16: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Tue, Nov. 17: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Wed, Nov. 18: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Thu, Nov. 19: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Fri, Nov. 20: 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 21: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sun, Nov. 22: 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Mon, Nov. 23: 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Minford, OH – Harrison Free Will Baptist Church
12254 State Route 139 Minford, OH 45653-8715
Mon, Nov. 16: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Tue, Nov. 17: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Wed, Nov. 18: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Thu, Nov. 19: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Fri, Nov. 20: 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 21: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sun, Nov. 22: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Mon, Nov. 23: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Greenup, KY – Stultz Pharmacy
1615 Ashland Road Greenup, KY 41144-1207
Mon, Nov. 16: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tue, Nov. 17: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wed, Nov. 18: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thu, Nov. 19: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Fri, Nov. 20: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 21: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sun, Nov. 22: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Mon, Nov. 23: 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
You can find other locations near here or other areas across the United States on the Operation Christmas Child website. If you are looking for a way to do something special for others this year, this may be just what you are looking for and packing the boxes can be exciting and enjoyable.
Reach Kimberly Jenkins (740)353-3101 ext. 1928© 2020 Portsmouth Daily Times, all rights
