Operation Christmas Child Kicks Off in Bartow

While most people in the United States are preparing for holiday activities, Cartersville and Adairsville volunteers with Operation Christmas Child—the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind—are filling shoe box gifts with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for needy children overseas.

"I think you realize with this project that you’re able to reach so many people from home, and it’s something the whole family can do. The kids enjoy getting to go and purchase items for shoe boxes,” volunteer Stacy Cook told The Daily Tribune News. "...My family, we love Operation Christmas Child because it’s a way that we give a gift to children who may never have had a gift in their life before.

"But ultimately, it’s the No. 1 way that we can spread the gospel from our home throughout the world...and it’s just a beautiful way for us to share the hope that we have."

The year-round project of international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan's Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, is ramping up as local businesses, churches and community groups prepare to collect 45,000 gift-filled shoe boxes during National Collection Week, which is Nov. 12 to 19.

Anyone can drop off a packed shoe box at the two Bartow County collection sites. Then, using whatever means necessary—trucks, trains, boats, bikes and even elephants—the shoe box gifts will be hand-delivered to hurting children in 100 countries around the world.

CARTERSVILLE COLLECTION SITE:

Cartersville First Baptist Church
Douthit Ferry Road, Cartersville

Hours:
Monday – Nov. 12: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Tuesday – Nov. 13: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Wednesday – Nov. 14: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursday – Nov. 15: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Friday – Nov. 16: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Saturday – Nov. 17: 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Sunday – Nov. 18: 1 p.m.–3 p.m.
Monday – Nov. 19: 9 a.m.–11 a.m.

ADAIRSVILLE COLLECTION SITE

Cedar Creek Baptist Church
54 Folsom Road, Adairsville, GA 30103

Hours:
Monday – Nov. 12: 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Nov. 13: 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday – Nov. 14: 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Thursday – Nov. 15: 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Friday – Nov. 16: 3 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Saturday – Nov. 17: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday – Nov. 18: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday – Nov. 19: 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.

In 2012, Operation Christmas Child expects to reach a milestone—collecting and delivering shoe boxes to more than 100 million children since 1993. During that time, Operation Christmas Child has collected more than 94 million shoe box gifts and hand-delivered them to suffering children in more than 130 countries. This year, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect another 9 million gift-filled shoe boxes.

Operation Christmas Child uses tracking technology to allow participants to “follow” their box to the destination country where it will be given to a child in need. To register shoe box gifts and find out the destination country, use the “Follow Your Box” donation form found at www.samaritanspurse.org/occ. 

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (770) 777-9342 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.

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