TOMAHAWK – A local church is among those taking part in a nationwide effort to collect and deliver gift-filled shoeboxes to children, including many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster.
The Rock Church, 1775 Kaphaem Rd., Tomahawk, is a local drop-off site for Operation Christmas Child, spearheaded by Samaritan’s Purse.
According to the organization’s website, Samaritan’s Purse is a “nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.”
A release from Samaritan’s Purse said Operation Christmas Child “seeks 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 244 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 175 countries and territories,” the release stated.
More than 5,000 drop-off sites across the country will be open from Monday, Nov. 16 through Monday, Nov. 23. Along with The Rock Church, area drop-off sites include St. John Lutheran Church in Merrill and Pine Grove Community Church in Rhinelander.
Samaritan’s Purse said it “hopes to reach 12.8 million children in 2026 with the hope of Jesus” through this year’s Operation Christmas Child efforts.
“Shoebox packing is fun for individuals, families and groups,” the release said. “The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need.”
Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.
Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage at www.tinyurl.com/4p53vpr2.
“Shoebox gifts may seem simple, but they have an eternal impact,” said Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse. “Each box is an opportunity to tell a boy or girl in need about the true meaning of Christmas. 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.”
For more information about Operation Christmas Child, visit www.tinyurl.com/mra2yu9e.
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