Contact: Marilyn Wood 352 861-4678, Cell 203 560-0273 rmwood@earthlink.net
or Marie Wilson Cell 334 730-5180 teachre8347@yahoo.com
Operation Christmas Child has sent more that 85 million shoeboxes to children in 130 countries since Samaritan’s Purse launched the project in the United States in 1993. For many boys and girls, these boxes are the first Christmas presents they have ever received.
The numbers for 2010 have been finalized: 8.17 million boxes were delivered around the world. Of these, 5.5 million came from the United States (the most shoebox gifts ever collected in the U.S.).
To quote Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse, “Operation Christmas Child is one way Samaritan’s Purse delivers the Gospel message to boys and girls around the world who face difficult and heartbreaking circumstances. Some of these youngsters have been traumatized by war, natural disasters, and loss of their families. The gift boxes serve as a reminder that God’s presence, and His everlasting love and comfort, are real and available to them.”
Accompanying each shoebox is a booklet, The Greatest Gift of All, written in 70 languages. As one 9 year old from the Philippines said, “I received many items from my box – pencils, school supplies, and other things. I am very happy because we can’t afford to buy those items. But the greatest gift I received was Jesus Christ.” The children are also given an opportunity to participate in a 12 lesson Bible Study Course, The Greatest Journey, in 3 parts, which: introduces the children to Jesus, shows them how to receive Him and follow Him, and equips them to share their faith with family and friends. Upon completion, each child receives a special New Testament with favorite Old Testament passages.
CTKA has supported this outreach ministry for several years. Each month we gather in fellowship and wrap shoeboxes in colorful Christmas paper. We collect items to put in the shoeboxes throughout the year and in November we assemble to fill the boxes and send them on their way to put smiles on children’s faces somewhere on our planet. Please assist us by donating your time (by helping us prepare the boxes), your talent (by finding just the right items to put in the boxes), and your treasure (by giving us your loose change each week to pay for shipping).
Our goal for 2011 is 1,000 boxes. We have six categories: Ages 2-4, Boys and Girls; Ages 5-9, Boys and Girls; and Ages 10-14, Boys and Girls.
Items we include are: soap, washcloths, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, hairbrushes, hair things for girls, crayons, coloring books, pencils, pens, spiral notebooks, markers, colored pencils, small story books, socks, small toys, t-shirts, ball caps, flip flops, sunglasses, watches, flashlights, solar calculators, etc.
The shoebox table is set up every Sunday for all three services in the lobby from February to November. There is a tub for collection of items and a shoebox for collecting money to ship the boxes ($7.00 per box).
Thank you for supporting Operation Christmas Child!