Rural communities across South Central Kansas are making a global impact in the lives of children around the world through Operation Christmas Child. By filling simple shoeboxes with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys, small Kansas communities are reaching children with hope and the love of Jesus this Christmas. Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, distributes the shoebox gifts to children in over 100 countries around the world as a tangible expression of God’s love, through the support of churches and ministry partners around the globe. For many children this is the first gift they have ever received. Children who receive a shoebox are invited to participate in a follow up discipleship program titled “The Greatest Journey” where they learn to follow Jesus and share their faith with others.
Families, groups & churches are lovingly packing shoeboxes now in preparation for National Collection Week, November 18 – 25. Participants may bring their shoebox gifts to drop-off locations across South Central Kansas including locations in Pratt, St. John, Cheney, Newton, Hillsboro, Medicine Lodge, Wellington and many more. Participants can find drop-off locations, hours and even register their box and discover what country it is delivered to at samaritanspurse.org/occ. Last year 29,000 shoebox gifts were collected across South Central Kansas. This year volunteers hope to collect over 31,000 to contribute to a nationwide goal of over 12 million shoebox gifts. “Operation Christmas Child is a project that everyone, from the youngest to the oldest, can contribute to and participate in, either in person or by building a shoebox online”, said local volunteer Vicki Beck. “We are excited to see what God is going to do through Operation Christmas Child in South Central Kansas this year!”
