Salem Baptist Church in Salem will serve this month as a drop-off location for the Samaritan’s Purse project, Operation Christmas Child – joining nearly 5,000 U.S. locations collecting shoebox gifts for children in need around the world.
During the project’s National Collection Week, Nov. 13 – 20, generous Salem residents will transform empty shoeboxes into gifts of hope filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items. After being dropped off, Operation Christmas Child will deliver these shoebox gifts to children living in poverty overseas.
“We have an opportunity in Salem to give these simple shoebox gifts that will make a lasting impact on children across the world,” said Salem volunteer Billy Martin who has participated in Operation Christmas Child for five years. “For many of these children, this shoebox is the first gift they have ever received. It sends a message that God loves them, and they are not forgotten.”
The Roanoke Valley/Alleghany area project coordinators hope to collect more than 13,200 shoebox gifts towards the 2017 global goal of reaching 12 million children in need.
Salem Baptist Church
103 N Broad Street
Salem, VA 24153-3733
Mon, Nov. 13: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tue, Nov. 14: 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Wed, Nov. 15: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Thu, Nov. 16: 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Fri, Nov. 17: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Sat, Nov. 18: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Sun, Nov. 19: 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Mon, Nov. 20: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child or to view gift suggestions, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Participants can donate $9 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.
-Submitted by Kris Stutsman, Media Relations Coordinator