Operation Christmas Child drive gets under way

Volunteers are preparing to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov. 18-25. More than 4,700 drop-off locations will open across the country, including one at Maranatha Evangelical Free Church at 3340 S. Main St., Rice Lake.

Shoeboxes for the public to fill and drop off are now available at King's Way Bible and Gift and Hobby Lobby in Rice Lake. Other shoebox-sized boxes also may be used. Families, individuals and groups wishing to pack a shoebox can find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox at samaritanspurse.org. Other drop-off locations can be found at the same website under Shoebox Drop Off Locations.

Drop-off dates and hours at the Rice Lake location are: Monday, Nov. 18, 5-7 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 19, 5-7 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 20, 3-5 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 21, 3-5 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 22, 3-5 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23, 9-11 a.m.; Sunday, Nov. 24, 9 a.m.–noon; and Monday, Nov. 25, 9-11 a.m.

Rice Lake is within the Northwest Wisconsin Area of Operation Christmas Child, which includes the areas north of Highway 8 in Polk, Barron and Rusk counties along with all of Burnett, Washburn and Sawyer counties.

Last month volunteers throughout the area met in Spooner to connect and to learn about packing shoeboxes for distribution around the globe. Another highlight of the September workshop was hearing about area coordinator Wyman Johnson’s trip to Ecuador, where he had the opportunity to participate in three outreach events. Johnson told about distributing shoebox gifts at two locations, where many of the children had never experienced the love of Jesus in such a tangible way. Often, he said, these are the first gifts that recipient children have ever received. Johnson was also able to participate in a graduation ceremony for children who had completed Operation Christmas Child's 12-week discipleship course. The course is a voluntary opportunity for shoebox recipients to learn more about following Christ.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 220 million children in more than 170 countries and territories, including many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster. It is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, and this year’s goal is to reach another 12 million children with the hope of Jesus.

“Children need hope,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “They need to know that they are not alone, and that God loves them. Gift-filled shoeboxes open the door for us to share the Gospel with boys and girls around the world.”

For more information on the Rice Lake drop-off site, contact Maranatha Drop Off Leader Joan Neidermire at 612-308-6425.