If you’d really like to make the Christmas of a child, you might consider Operation Shoebox which is part of Franklin Graham Ministries and Samaritan’s Purse’s outreach program. Over 198-million shoeboxes have been delivered to children in 170 countries since the program began in 1993. Shoeboxes are filled by members of the community and get turned in to be forwarded to the children.
Pick up a shoebox at participating location, or you can use a shoebox from home. Decide whether you want to fill the box for a boy or a girl. Pick an age of child (between 2-4, between 5-9, or between 10-14). Fill it with suggested items for a child in a third world country which could include a nice toy, some smaller toys, hygiene items, a small blanket, school supplies and a personal note (for ideas click here).
Here are some things to avoid: Candy; toothpaste; gum; used or damaged items; scary or war-related items such as toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; seeds; fruit rolls or other fruit snacks; drink mixes (powdered or liquid); liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.
Shoeboxes can be dropped off beginning Monday, Nov. 14, 2022 and continuing through Sunday, Nov. 20th at any of these local locations whose hours of operation follow:
- Village Bible Church at 22 Caxambas Drive in Cherokee Village, open Monday, Nov. 14, thru Friday, Nov. 18, from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19, from 11 a.m. til 3 p.m. and Sunday, the Nov. 20, from 12:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. the church will be open 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Nov. 21.
- First Baptist Church in Thayer is open Monday thru Thursday 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., Friday and Saturday 12 noon to 2 p.m., and Sunday, the 20th from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, and 5 p.m. until 6 p.m.
- The Viola Baptist Church will be accept shoeboxes from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m., Monday thru Thursday 10 to noon on Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m. till 5 p.m. on Sunday, the 20th and 8 a.m. till 10 a.m. on the morning of Nov. 21st.
- Belview Baptist Church in Melbourne will be open Monday thru Saturday from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m., Sunday, the 20th from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m.
- The Galatia Assembly of God Church at Norfork, AR, will accept shoeboxes from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Monday thru Friday, 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Saturday, and 1 p.m. till 3 p.m. on Sunday, the 20th.
- First Baptist Church in Walnut Ridge, AR, will accept shoeboxes from 1 p.m. till 3 p.m. Monday thru Thursday, 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday, 1 p.m. till 3 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday the 21st. The shoeboxes will be taken to the regional distribution center on Monday, the 21st.
- If you happen to be near a Hobby Lobby, they also are drop off locations for the week (Batesville, Mountain Home, Jonesboro and others).
- This year’s collection goal for North Central Arkansas is 16,001 shoeboxes. You can also fill a shoebox online by visiting the Operation Christmas Child website and following the link to fill a shoebox online for $25.
