The gifts come in a shoe box.
They don't cost a lot.
And you will never see the recipient.
But many who participate in Operation Christmas Child each year say the joy of giving presents and sending a message of love and faith to needy children is its own reward.
First Baptist Church of Gainesville is a collection site for Operation Christmas Child donations.
Mark Fuller, minister of discipleship and evangelism at the church said he and other volunteers are accepting Operation Christmas child donation boxes from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. this week.
“This is a collection site for the program. Collinsville and Ardmore, Okla. are relay centers,” he noted.
That means First Baptist volunteers are packing large cardboard boxes with shoe boxes.
He estimated the volunteers have already packed up 350 boxes.
FBC has been a collection center for Operation Christmas Child for four years, and the effort keeps getting bigger, he said.
“The first year we had approximately 3,500 boxes. Last year, we took in a little more than 7,000,” he said.
The organization hopes to collect 8.2 million shoe boxes, Fuller said.
He said even though times are difficult for many people, ministries such as Operation Christmas Child often thrive in tough times.
“Sometimes in a bad economy people become more generous,” he said.
Donors don’t even have to supply their own shoeboxes.
“We have empty boxes they can come pick up and fill,” Fuller said.
A project sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse -- a ministry founded by Billy Graham’s son Franklin Graham and based in Boone, North Carolina -- Operation Christmas Child staff members distribute the donated gift boxes to children all over the world.
Participants can choose to fill a shoe box for either a girl or a boy. They also designate the recipientís age group from youngsters 2 to 4 to 14-year-olds.
Donors can use empty shoe boxes, printed Operation Christmas child boxes available at local churches or small plastic containers with snap-on lids.
Gift suggestions include small toys (matchbox cars, tiny dolls, games), clothing such as ball caps, socks or t-shirts, hard candies, mints or gum in self-sealing plastic bags and more practical items such as flashlights with extra batteries, hair brushes, bands or costume jewelry.
Some items such as foods, used or damaged merchandise, lotions or liquids, glass or other breakables, war-themed toys (plastic soldiers, simulated guns, swords), medications and vitamins are prohibited.
Participants also pay $7 postage and handling for each box.
Postage can be paid online at www.samaritanspurse.org/ezgive or mailed to the organization.
“It’s just a fun family activity,” Fuller said. “It’s also a simple way to touch a life.”
The boxes are sent to places such as Latin America and Africa,” he added.
“They go wherever there are needy kids,” he said.
Donors can also send children a message.
“Sometimes families will write a letter and include a photo of themselves to make the gift a little more personal. Sometimes — and this is really exciting — if you include a mailing address, the kids will actually write a thank you letter,” he said.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Volunteers at work (© Staff photo by Delania Trigg)
Guest Book
First Baptist Church is Operation Christmas Child collection center
- Local News
-
-
Morton Museum hosts Art on Tap Saturday
The Morton Museum of Cooke County is hosting “Art on Tap,” a beer- and-food pairing event featuring the art of Cooke County and portraits from the past from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday inside the Santa Fe Depot in downtown Gainesville.
-
Property, mineral values a mixed bag
A reported boost in statewide property values, which had suffered a slight drop in 2010, suggests ongoing recession recovery
-
Old School Comes Down
Sections of the deserted Gainesville Junior High School building came down Wednesday, with developers planning to demolish the old school and develop a new Cooke County Boys & Girls Club facility for youth in the region.
-
City Council moves rezoning request ahead
The Gainesville City Council voted to schedule a third reading for a rezoning request made by a property owner in the 3000 block of Harris Street.
-
Workers move ahead on interchange upgrade
Work continues on Interstate 35 frontage roads near West California Street, and officials said a closing of the nearby Star Street Bridge was expected to conclude late Tuesday.
-
Energetic fox trio settle in at zoo
A group of juvenile red foxes are in their new habitat and have apparently taken to their surroundings at the Frank Buck Zoo in Leonard Park.
-
Land owner fights Oncor to save centuries-old tree
A beloved Bois D’ Arc tree, estimated to be around 150 years old, has become the object of dispute between one Cooke County land owner and Oncor Corp., a regional electrical delivery company.
-
As deadline approaches, election day unclear
As the Texas primary election approaches, a muddle continues locally and statewide as to exactly when election day arrives.
-
Gainesville native fights for justice
IDABEL, Okla. — An Idabel, Okla. police officer — reeling from the death of his friend and fellow officer — is trying to beef up his state’s negligent homicide laws.
-
Gainesville woman hit by car
THACKERVILLE, OKLA. — A road collision early Sunday morning near Thackerville injured one female pedestrian, a Gainesville resident whose identification has not been released by officials.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
