×

Operation Christmas Child collections begin Monday

Monday is the beginning of Operation Christmas Child, a program by the Samaritian’s Purse to deliver shoeboxes filled with prizes for children around the world.

Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week runs Nov. 18-25.

Families, churches and groups are busy transforming empty shoeboxes into fun gifts filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items. The Samaritan’s Purse project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine. For many of these children, it will be the first gift they have ever received.

This year, local area residents hope to collect more than 9,081 gifts to contribute to the 2019 global goal of reaching 11 million children.

“I love seeing the local community rally together for a global impact,” said Regional Director Cecil Pollydore. “We see all ages getting involved -and more and more every year.”

Harvest Chapel, which is located at 39 Matteson St., Fredonia, will have collection hours at the following times: Monday, Nov. 18: 4-7 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 19 4-7 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m. to noon; Thursday, Nov. 21: 9 a.m. to noon; Friday, Nov. 22, 4-7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23, 1-4 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 24, 1-4 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 25, 9-11 a.m.

First Baptist Church of Mayvlle, located at 59 S Erie St. will have collection hours as the following times: Monday, Nov. 18, 6-8 p.m.; Tueday, Nov. 19, 1-3 p.m.; Wednesday, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 6-8 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 21, 1-3 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 22, 6-8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 24, noon to 3 p.m., Monday, Nov. 25, 9-11 a.m.

Bemus Point United Methodist Church, located at 4954 Bemus Ellery Road, will have collection hours at the following times: Monday, Monday, Nov. 18, 3-6:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 19, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 20, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 21, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 22, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 24, 1-4 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 25, 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Kidder Memorial United Methodist Church, located at 385 S. Main St., Jamestown, will have collection hours at the following times: Monday, Nov. 18, 5-7 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 19, 5-7 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 20, 5-7 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 21, 5-7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 22, 5-7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m. to noon; Sunday, Nov. 24, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 25, 9-11 a.m.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 518-437-0690, or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Participants can donate $9 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is 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. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 168 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today