Local Volunteers Join Samaritan’s Purse to Collect 2,300 Shoebox Gifts for Children in Poverty Overseas

MIDDLEPORT – This month, three locations in the Meigs and Gallia County area will serve as collection sites for Operation Christmas Child—the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. The annual Samaritan’s Purse project is a favorite of many Middleport residents, families, churches and groups who spread joy to millions of children around the world by filling shoeboxes with a “Wow!” item—like a doll or soccer ball—other fun toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement.

“Through the simple act of filling a shoebox, someone in Meigs County can make a tangible difference in the life of a child halfway around the world. Anyone can participate and bring joy to a child facing difficult circumstances,” said Middleport volunteer Bronywn Williams, who has participated in Operation Christmas Child for 7 years.

During National Collection Week, Nov. 16 – 23, Meigs/Gallia residents hope to contribute more than 2,300 gift-filled shoeboxes to the 2015 global goal of reaching 11 million children in need.

MEIGS/Gallia-area COLLECTION SITES:
Hope Baptist Church
570 Grant Street
Middleport, Oh 45760
(740) 992-5334

Monday, Nov. 16, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 19, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 20, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

French City Baptist
3554 State Route 160
Gallipolis, OH 45631
(740) 446-3331

Monday, Nov. 16, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 19, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 20, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 21, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22, 12 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Christ Community Wesleyan Church
6275 Kenney Memorial Lane
Albany,Oh 45710
(740) 698-2292

Monday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m., 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 20, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 21, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Coolville United Methodist Church
26460 Main Street
Coolville, OH 45723
(740) 667-6672

Monday, Nov. 16, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 20, 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 21, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 23, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 124 million children in more than 150 countries and territories. For many of these children, a gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.

For more information about how to participate in Operation Christmas Child call (740) 992-3015. With a computer or mobile device, anyone can conveniently pack a personalized Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift on the Samaritan’s Purse website. Go to samaritanspurse.org/occ to select toys and gift items, write a note of encouragement and “pack” them in a shoebox. These gifts of hope will go to children in some of the hardest-to-reach countries.

Using special tracking technology, participants can follow their box to discover where in the world their gift is delivered by using the donation form found at samaritanspurse.org/occ.