Harvest Baptist Church accepting shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child Nov. 15-21

Harvest Baptist Church is entering its eighth year as a drop-off station for Operation Christmas Child, which delivers shoeboxes filled with gifts or supplies to underprivileged children around the world. Shoeboxes can be dropped off at the fellowship building of Harvest Baptist Church, 544 Fuller Road (take the first left after Fifth Consolidated School on Millsfield Highway). Drop-off will start Sunday, Nov. 15, and last until Saturday, Nov. 21. The drop-off hours will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day except Saturday, Nov. 21, which will be from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Please include a donation of $7 or more to help with the shipping expenses.

This year will be Harvest Baptist Church's eighth year to be a drop-off station for Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan's Purse, which is an international nondenominational Christian relief organization. Founded in 1970, Samaritan's Purse offers assistance to victims of famine, war, poverty, natural disasters and disease.

During the holiday season, Operation Christmas Child delivers shoeboxes to underprivileged children around the world. Inside the shoeboxes are gifts and supplies for them to use and play with.

Shoeboxes can be dropped off at the fellowship building of Harvest Baptist Church, 544 Fuller Road (take the first left after Fifth Consolidated School on Millsfield Highway). Drop-off will start on Sunday, Nov. 15, and last until Saturday, Nov. 21. The drop-off hours will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day except Saturday, Nov. 21, which will be from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.

You must decide whom you would like to prepare a box for. It can be for a boy or girl, and the age groups are 2 to 4 years old, 5 to 9 years old and 10 to 14 years old.

Suggested items to send:

TOYS -- small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch(r), toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky(r), etc.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES -- pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink-pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.

HYGIENE ITEMS -- toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.

OTHER -- Hard candy and lollipops (please double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

DO NOT INCLUDE: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snowglobes, glass containers or aerosol cans.

To add a personal touch to your box, people are encouraged to enclose a letter and a photo of yourself or your family. If you include your name and address, the child who receives your box may write back. Also, you can decorate and gift-wrap the box. However, if you decide to gift-wrap it you must wrap the top separately.

If you don't have a shoebox you can do one of two things. You can buy a similarly sized plastic storage container with a removable lid. This is encouraged by Samaritan's Purse because it can be reused by the child and their family, for things like carrying water. The other alternative is to bring the items to Harvest Baptist Church, which will have boxes on hand to place the items in.

Also, with each box, be sure to include one anchor toy for the child.

To help with costs, Samaritan's Purse asks that a donation of $7 or more be added to each box.

Pickups are available for boxes. Call Lynda Pope at 693-5043 or Mona Ozment at 676-3985 for more information or to schedule a pickup. Also visit www.samaritanspurse.org/ for more information about Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child.