Operation Christmas Child underway; collection week is Nov. 14-21 BOONE, N.C. – In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, families along the Gulf Coast have a newfound understanding of fear and suffering, as well as compassion. That new perspective is fueling their spirit of giving as they demonstrate to the rest of the world what it means to “pay it forward.” “When you experience something like this, you realize what’s really important – people,” said Stacey Johnson, whose home outside Beaumont, Texas, was nearly totaled by Katrina. Despite their own personal loss, Stacey’s family is participating in Operation Christmas Child – the world’s largest Christmas project – filling shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, candy, necessity items and notes of encouragement for hurting children throughout the world. This year, Operation Christmas Child will hand-deliver more than 7 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 90 countries suffering from natural disaster, disease, war, terrorism, poverty and famine. “Katrina has taken a major toll on this country, but the storm did not wipe out America’s desire to help others who are suffering,” said Franklin Graham, head of Operation Christmas Child – a project of international relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, which has been providing aid to hurricane-devastated neighborhoods along the Gulf Coast. “It’s been inspiring to see those who have lost almost everything still give what they can, and those who have given so much to their American neighbors still want to reach out to children hurting on the other side of the world. To me that’s what America is all about.” Right now, Operation Christmas Child is underway throughout the United States, including Meade County. Kids, families, churches, Scout troops, schools and civic organizations are packing shoebox gifts for hurting children overseas. Meade County has two area dropoff locations: Muldraugh Baptist Church and First Baptist Church in Brandenburg. For more details about Operation Christmas Child, contact Karen Kinder at (502) 942-1789 or Roxanne Nanney at (270) 422-3355 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org. Suggested items are small toys, balls, dolls, school supplies, socks, hygiene items and hard candy. Do not include anything perishable, breakable or liquid. Medication of any kind is prohibited. Brochures outlining guidelines and particulars are available at First Baptist Church in Brandenburg during office hours of 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. National Collection Week is Nov. 14-21. Brandenburg collection hours that week will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, 7:30 - 9 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Come to the lower level of the Family Life Center to drop off your shoebox gifts.
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