Baxter County families are on a mission to make an impact in the lives of children in need. They are donating colorfully wrapped shoebox gifts to be sent to children around the world, many of whom have never received a gift before and have very little to call their own.November 13th through the 20th is Operation Christmas Childs National Collection Week, when local residents will collect shoebox gifts filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items. The Samaritans Purse project will deliver these gifts to children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine. The North Central Arkansas Area Team volunteers have a goal of collecting more than 15,100 gifts during the week.Jennifer Baker, Media Coordinator for North Central Arkansas Operation Christmas Child says its exciting to think of the impact our efforts will have in the life of each child who receives a shoebox.
Baxter County residents are not alone in their effort to help children around the world. More than 150,000 volunteers including families, churches and other groups are joining forces to contribute to the largest Christmas project of its kind. In 2017, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach 12 million children, with 4,000 boxes coming from the Baxter County area. In Baxter County, two sites will serve as drop-off locations for shoebox gift donations.
For more information on participating in Operation Christmas Child or to view gift suggestions, call OCC Midsouth Office at 615-962-7145 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 childs 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 Samaritans Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate Gods 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 Childhas collected and delivered more than 146 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.
Baker provides collection details county-by-county to assist in Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Collection Week.
Baxter:
Shoeboxes may be dropped off at two locations: Eastside Baptist Church, 718 East 9th, Mtn. Home: Mon, Nov. 13: 1-4 pm; Tuesday, Nov. 14: 2-4 pm; Wed. Nov. 15: 2-4 pm; Thur. Nov. 16: 2-4 pm; Fri. Nov. 17: 2-4 pm.; Sat. Nov. 18: 2-4 pm; Sun. Nov. 19: 3-5 pm; Mon, Nov. 20: 9-4 pm. Norfork location: Galatia Assembly of God, 16580 Hwy 5 South, Norfork: Mon, Nov. 13 1-3 pm; Tues, Nov. 14: 1-3 pm; Wed, Nov. 15: 1-3 pm; Thurs, Nov. 16: 1-3 pm; Fri. Nov 17: 1-3 pm; Sat, Nov. 19: 10 am- 12 pm; Sun, Nov, 19: 1-3 pm; Mon, Nov. 20: 9-11 am.
Marion:
Shoeboxes may be dropped off at Church on the Rock, 102 N. Mill Street, Yellville: Mon, Nov. 13: 10 am-12 pm; Tues, Nov. 14: 10 am- 12 pm; Wed. Nov. 15: 10 am – 12 pm; Thurs, Nov 16: 10 am – 12 pm; Fri, Nov. 17: 10 am – 12 pm; Sat. Nov 18: 10 am-4 pm; Sun, Nov 19: 2-4 pm; Mon, Nov. 20: 8-10 am.
Boone:
Shoeboxes may be dropped off at Real Ministries, 111 S. Spring St, Harrison. Mon, Nov. 13: 4-6 pm; Tues, Nov. 14: 4-6 pm; Wed, Nov 15: 4-6 pm; Thurs, Nov. 16: 4-6 pm; Fri, Nov. 17: 4-6 pm; Sat. Nov 18: 12-5 pm; Sun, Nov 19: 1-5 pm; Mon, Nov 20: 6-8 am.
Izard:
Shoeboxes may be dropped off at Melbourne Community Church, AR 69 and Jackson St, Melbourne: Mon, Nov. 13: 1-4 pm; Tues, Nov. 14: 1-4 pm; Wed, Nov 15: 1-4 pm; Thurs, Nov. 16: 1-4 pm; Fri, Nov. 17: 1-4 pm; Sat. Nov 18: 1-4 pm; Sun, Nov 19: 1-4 pm; Mon, Nov 20: 7-9 am.
Fulton:
Shoeboxes may be dropped off at Viola First Baptist Church, 9333 Hwy 62 W, Viola. Mon, Nov. 13: 3-5 pm; Tues, Nov. 14: 3-5 pm; Wed, Nov 15: 3-5 pm; Thurs, Nov. 16: 10 am – 2 pm; Fri, Nov. 17: 10 am – 2 pm; Sat. Nov 18: 10 am – 2 pm; Sun, Nov 19: 12-2 pm; Mon, Nov 20: 8-10 am.
Searcy:
Shoeboxes may be dropped off at Northview Baptist Church, 224 Mills Lane, Marshall, AR: Mon, Nov. 13: 3-6 pm; Tues, Nov. 14: 3-6 pm; Wed, Nov 15: 3-6 pm; Thurs, Nov. 16: 3-6 pm; Fri, Nov. 17: 3-6 pm; Sat. Nov 18: 9 am – 12 pm; Sun, Nov 19: 9 am- 12 pm; Mon, Nov 20: 7:30-9:30 am.
Stone:
Shoeboxes may be dropped off at First Baptist Church, 224 King Ave, Mtn. View: Mon, Nov. 13: 9 am – 12 pm; Tues, Nov. 14: 9 am – 12 pm; Wed, Nov 15: 9 am – 12 pm; Thurs, Nov. 16: 9 am – 12 pm; Fri, Nov. 17: 9am – 12 pm; Sat. Nov 18: 12-2 pm; Sun, Nov 19: 12-2 pm; Mon, Nov 20: 7:30-9:30 am.
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