Thursday, November 12, 2009 10:03 PM CST
'Operation Christmas Child' shoe box collections begin Nov. 16
By DAWN SCHABBING, Features Writer
The Central Christian Church, 915 W. Lincoln Ave., Charleston, and the First Baptist Church, 1804 S. Ninth St., Mattoon, are two area collection relay sites for for Operation Christmas Child this year.
This project of Samaritan’s Purse is designed to aid children in the most desperate circumstances with the message of God’s love through inexpensive gifts inside a shoe box, organizers said.
“By purchasing items and packing shoe boxes for these children we are able to express love in a tangible way, to those in areas of the globe that are experiencing famine, civil war, natural disaster and extreme poverty,” said Megan Przygoda of Central Christian Church.
From this location, the boxes are shipped to Effingham, then to a Minneapolis processing center, she said.
The boxes are inspected and packed to be shipped to various locations throughout the world. The boxes reach needy children, often remote areas by boat, truck, helicopter, camel, elephant, bicycle and wagon, Przygoda said.
But it all starts with people like those here in central Illinois.
“This project helps our community by allowing our citizens show the true meaning of Christmas, and sharing God’s love to children who live with great tragedy and despair,” said Przygoda, co-project coordinator, along with Clarice Stephens, at the Charleston location.
The Charleston church has been associated with Operation Christmas Child for seven years.
“We started by collecting a little over 200 shoe boxes,” Przygoda said. “The numbers have increased through the years, with last year’s total reaching 1,037. We haven’t set an actual numerical goal this year, but certainly wish to exceed our total from 2008.”
In Mattoon, the First Baptist Church has been a collection site for 10 years. The first year, the church collected between 200 and 300 shoe boxes. Last year, 1,850 boxes came in, and this year a goal of 2,000 boxes has been set.
Tina Hesse has been the coordinator at the Mattoon church location for the past nine years.
“Every year working for Operation Christmas Child, and at the relay center, is life changing. It’s knowing you are making a difference in a child’s life — and being able to meet other people in the area with the same passion,” Hesse said.
“To me, the greatest thing about Operation Christmas Child is that this program makes it possible for millions of children living in poverty, disease and war to experience God’s love through a simple shoe box filled with gifts. These boxes open the door for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” she said.
The Operation Christmas Child Web site at http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/Pack_A_Shoe_Box/ has information about how to best pack a shoe box.
Certain guidelines should be followed: No liquids, no chocolate, no perishable foods, and no war-related items or toys should be included in the box.
Items suggested are bar soap; wash cloth; hygiene items; toothbrushes and toothpaste; pencils, pens, markers and crayons; hard candy and gum; hair accessories; and small toys, such as Barbie dolls, Beanie babies, rubber balls, Slinky, cars or plastic animals. A personal note to the child is welcome.
Boxes should be filled based on age and gender. The groups are divide by these age groups: 2-4 years; 5-9 years; and 10-14 years. Each box should be labeled and specified for a “boy” or “girl” and its age group. The boxes may be wrapped, but lids should not be taped shut, Hesse said.
Each box must also include $7 for shipping.
Groups or individuals may use either of these locations to drop off a filled shoe box.
n In Charleston at the Central Christian Church: 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 16, Nov. 18 and Nov. 20 ; 9 a.m. to noon and 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 17 and Nov. 19; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 21; 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m., Nov. 22; and 9 to 10 a.m. Nov. 23.
n In Mattoon at the First Baptist Church: 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 16 and Nov. 19; 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 17; 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 18; 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 20; 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 21; 1 to 5 p.m. Nov. 22; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 23.
For more information contact Stephens at 349-8256, Przygoda at 348-0476 or Hesse, 234-7740; or go online to the Operation Christmas Child Web site.
Contact Dawn Schabbing at dschabbing@jg-tc.com or 238-6864.
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