The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (VR) — With Christmas approaching, residents of the Alleghany Highlands have an opportunity to help bring Christmas gifts to children in need around the world through Operation Christmas Child.
Covington Bible Church, located at 2140 S. Carpenter Drive, will serve as a local collection site Nov. 16-23 for the annual shoebox campaign organized by Samaritan’s Purse.
Operation Christmas Child encourages individuals, families and churches to fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and personal care items. The boxes are then distributed to children in countries around the world, many of whom have never received a Christmas gift.
Along with the gifts, the Christian humanitarian organization works with local churches to share the message of Jesus Christ. Children receiving shoeboxes are also offered the opportunity to participate in The Greatest Journey, a 12-lesson program focused on Christian teachings.
The program began in 1993 after Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham agreed to help provide Christmas gifts for children in Eastern Europe. With assistance from a Charlotte, North Carolina, church and additional donations from Canada, the organization distributed approximately 28,000 shoeboxes to children in the Balkans that first year.
Since then, Operation Christmas Child has grown into an international outreach effort. According to Samaritan’s Purse, more than 244 million children in over 175 countries and territories have received shoebox gifts since the program began.
The organization also reports that more than 52 million children have enrolled in The Greatest Journey since 2009.
Residents interested in participating are encouraged to pack shoeboxes with a special toy, such as a doll, stuffed animal or soccer ball, along with additional school supplies and personal care items. Participants can also include a personal note or photograph for the child receiving the gift. If you would rather build a box online you have that option as well, visit https://tinyurl.com/2mwdjumn to get started.
Covington Bible Church will accept shoebox donations during the following dates and times:
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Monday, Nov. 16: 6-8 p.m.
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Tuesday, Nov. 17: 6-8 p.m.
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Wednesday, Nov. 18: 6-8 p.m.
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Thursday, Nov. 19: 6-8 p.m.
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Friday, Nov. 20: 6-8 p.m.
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Saturday, Nov. 21: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Sunday, Nov. 22: 1-3 p.m.
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Monday, Nov. 23: 8-10 a.m.
