Volunteers with the Samaritan's Purse project, Operation Christmas Child, are getting ready for National Collection Week, scheduled for Nov. 16 through 23. Through the week, area residents can drop off gift-filled shoeboxes at numerous locations across south-central Missouri and northern Arkansas.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered shoeboxes filled with gifts to children suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster. This year, the project aims to collect enough shoeboxes to reach 12.8 million children. Over the course of the project's history, it has collected and delivered more than 244 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 175 countries and territories.
“Shoebox gifts may seem simple, but they have an eternal impact. Each box is an opportunity to tell a boy or girl in need about the true meaning of Christmas,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “I’ve delivered these boxes around the world, and I never get tired of seeing the joy that they bring — even in the midst of disasters, war, and poverty.”
Individuals, families and groups can find instructions on how to pack a shoebox online. Participants can also donate $10 per shoebox gift online through "Follow Your Box" and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.
AREA DROP-OFF LOCATIONS
Howell County
- Trinity Worship Center, West Plains: 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 16-21; 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 22; and 8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 23.
- First Baptist Church, West Plains: Noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 16-22; and 8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 23.
- The Church - FGBC, Willow Springs: 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 16; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 17; 3 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18; 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 19; 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 20; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 21; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 22; and 7 to 9 a.m. Nov. 23.
- First Baptist Church, Mtn. View: Noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 16 and 18; 3 to 7 p.m. Nov. 17 and 20; noon to 7 p.m. Nov. 19; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 21; 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 22; and 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 23.
Oregon County
- Thayer First Baptist Church, Thayer: 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 16, 18 and 21; noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 17; 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 19; 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 20; 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 22; and 8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 23.
Shannon County
- First Baptist Church, Birch Tree: 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 16 and 22; 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 17, 19 and 20; 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18; 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 21; and 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 23.
- West Eminence Christian Church, Eminence: 8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 16-21 and 23; and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Nov. 22.
Texas County
- First Baptist Church, Cabool: 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 16 and 19; noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 17; 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 18; 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 20; noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 21; 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 22; and 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 23.
Wright County
- Mtn. Grove First Baptist Church, Mtn. Grove: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16-17; 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 18; 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 19-20; 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 21; 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 22; and 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 23.
- First Baptist Church, Mansfield: 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 16-17 and 19-20; 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 18 and 21; 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 22; and 8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 23.
Douglas County
- Ava Assembly of God, Ava: 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 16-17 and 21; 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 18-19; noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 20; 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 22; and 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Nov. 23.
Arkansas
- Viola First Baptist Church, Viola: 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 16-17 and 20-21; 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 18-19 and 22; and 8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 23.
- EastSide Baptist Church, Mtn. Home: 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 16-22; and 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 23.
- Village Bible Church, Cherokee Village: 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 16-20; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 21; 12:30 to 3 p.m. Nov. 22; and 7 to 9 a.m. Nov. 23.
- Belview Baptist Church, Melbourne: 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 16-21; 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 22; and 7 to 9 a.m. Nov. 23.
- First Baptist Church of Evening Shade, Evening Shade: 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 16-20 and 22; noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 21; and 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Nov. 23.
