Operation Christmas Child preparations underway locally

Jill Holloway, Thomasville Times-Enterprise, Ga.
·2 min read

Nov. 3—THOMASVILLE- Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, is seeking donations of a filled shoebox for needy children around the world.

Since 1993, more than 100 million boys and girls in over 130 countries have experienced God's love through the power of simple shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child. Samaritan's Purse works with local churches and ministry partners to deliver the gifts and share the life-changing good news of Jesus Christ.

Teresa Little will be the Drop Off Coordinator for the Thomasville/Thomas County area and is hoping to receive 2,000 shoeboxes to ship off worldwide this year.

"I believe God has people out there, who want to help me make this possible," she said.

To make the goal even more accessible for larger groups, Amazon has opened up their online marketplace with bulk items geared toward Operation Christmas Child.

Customers can choose bulk toothbrushes, flashlights, cars, bracelets, coloring books and more, simply type in Operation Christmas Child in the search engine.

Those who are unable or do not have the time to shop in person for gifts to go in a shoebox can go to the Samaritan's Purse website and opt to have Samaritan's Purse pack a box for them or virtually build one.

All boxes must be turned in during collection week: Nov. 14-21 at the TCBA office, located at 1020 Remington Ave.

Little will be stationed at the office from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. on Nov. 14th and 16th. Her office hours for Nov. 15, 17 and 18th will be from 1-6 p.m. with special hours on Nov. 19, 20, and 21st.

On Nov. 19, Little will accepting boxes from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. On Nov. 20, she will be accepting them from 1-5 p.m. and on the 21st, she will be packing and shipping the boxes from 7:30-9:30 a.m.

Little would love anyone interested in volunteering to contact her at 229-403-9699.

"Anybody who wants to help, even students from both the high school and college are welcome," she said.

Little looks forward to prayerfully packing the boxes and sending on their way with the community's help later this month.