Locals joining in ‘Operation Christmas Child’ gift drive

National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts is Nov. 16-23.
St. Mary Parish families, churches, groups and individuals are not waiting until Thanksgiving Day to express gratitude. Instead this week they are giving back by packing gifts for children around the world living in extreme poverty or affected by war, disease, and natural disaster. For many of these children, it will be the first gift they have ever received.
Thousands of people across America and here at in St. Mary Parish will pack shoebox gifts filled with a “WOW” item such as a doll or ball and other fun toys, as well as school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement.
Operation Christmas Child, a project of the international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, will deliver the gifts to children in need overseas.
First Baptist of Morgan City will serve as the collection point for shoebox gifts to be dropped off by local residents. First Baptist Morgan City is located at 1915 Victor II Blvd. Phone (985) 384-5920 for more information.
“We have so much to be thankful for here in America,” said Parish Operation Christmas Child Volunteer Janice Ratcliff. “Most of us have a roof over our heads, beds and pillows to sleep on, and food on our table. But for many children living overseas, tough living conditions and extreme poverty have left them with little hope. It is amazing to see the joy on children’s faces when they receive these gifts. It can be a tangible reminder that they are loved and not forgotten, despite their difficult circumstances.”
After being dropped off at the Morgan City collection site, these boxes make the long journey overseas, traveling by any means necessary—boat, plane, train and even elephant—until they reach the hands of children in need. In 2015, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach more than 11 million. Since 1993, the project has delivered shoebox gifts to more than 124 million children in over 150 countries and territories.
It is not too late to get involved, and anyone can participate in this life-changing project. With a computer or mobile device, anyone can conveniently pack a personalized Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift on Samaritan’s Purse website.
Go to samaritanspurse.org/occ to select toys and gift items, write and note of encouragement, and “pack” them in a shoebox. Participants can follow their box online and discover where in the world their gift is delivered by using the donation form found at samaritanspurse.org/occ.