Operation Christmas Child
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — As the elementary students at Central Christian School filed into the schools commons, each carried a brightly colored shoebox packed for Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse. They packed the shoebox gifts, filled with school supplies, personal care items, and fun toys, for children in need around the world as a tangible expression of God's love for them. Holding their boxes tightly the children prayed together for the child who would receive their box and for the safety of the volunteers who would deliver them, often to hard to reach places. Many hands went up when asked how the shoebox gifts might be delivered. On the backs of elephants, by boat, motorcycles, and by camels were just some of the correct answers.
"This is a day of joy," said elementary principal Judy Parsons, and the joy was evident on each face as they stacked the boxes on a table, counting each one, until they reached the last box - number 95, followed by excited applause. Mrs. Parsons assured them there were a few more coming in to help them reach their goal of 100 boxes. Students at Central Christian have been participating in the project for over 20 years. It's become a holiday tradition that students look forward to.
Local volunteers hope to collect over 31,000 shoebox gifts from the Hutchinson / Wichita area to contribute to a nationwide goal of over 12 million. It's not too late to pack a shoebox. National Collection Week is November 18 - 25. Hutchinson has two drop-off locations open as well as drop-offs in McPherson, Salina, Newton, St. John & Lyons to name a few. You can find more information about how to pack a shoebox and the drop-off location nearest you at samaritanspurse.org/occ.