SCOTTSBLUFF - Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children around the world to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 230 million gift-filled shoe boxes to children in more than 180 countries and territories. Once a shoe box is received by a child, the door is opened for them to attend a program called The Greatest Journey where they learn more about the Gospels.

At the completion of the program, each child receives a Bible in their native language. Thousands of villages and communities have been transformed through the shoebox program.

“It is truly an amazing global ministry that changes lives. It’s something we can all do right here in our home towns knowing we’re making a difference for children and families throughout the world.” Stated Yvonne Lease, Area Coordinate for Operation Christmas Child. 

Volunteers from the Panhandle region are packing shoe boxes filled with school supplies, personal care items and fun toys in preparation of National Collection Week – November 17-24. This fall, the area drop-off locations during National Collection week are: 

• Harvest Valley Church in Scottsbluff 

• Alliance Berean Church in Alliance 

• Evangelical Free Church in Sidney 

• Trinity United Methodist Church in Kimball 

These local drop-off sites will be the first stop on a journey across the globe for thousands of gifts packed by local churches, groups, individuals and families. Regional Drop-off locations and times can be found at https://samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations/. 

For more information on how to pack a shoebox and ways to participate with Operation Christmas Child visit samaritanspurse.org/occ, or call the local contacts shown below. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox to help cover the cost of shipping. Participants can also join the “Follow Your Box” program and receive a tracking label to discover a shoebox’s destination.