Operation Christmas Child taking donations Monday at United Methodist Church

Courtesy of Samaritan's Purse.

By: Scott Emigh, Editor-in-Chief

The Sand Springs Rotary Club and the Sand Springs United Methodist Church hosted a nonprofit showcase Thursday and twenty-nine local organizations participated. The free public event included free food and door prizes to help bring public awareness and attention to the organizations and the opportunities for community involvement. One of those organizations seeks to make Christmas a reality for children across the globe.

Operation Christmas Child is headed by Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief effort headed by evangelist Franklin Graham. The organization was founded in 1970 and first began Operation Christmas Child in 1993.

This year more than 4,500 locations will serve as collection sites for shoeboxes filled with school supplies, hygiene items, notes of encouragement, and toys. The goal this year is to reach 12 million children across the world

One of the drop-off locations is at the Sand Springs United Methodist Church Family Living Center, and the final day to contribute is Monday, November 21st. Boxes must be dropped off no later than noon.

Donations may be made in a shoebox or small plastic container. Visit www.samaritanspurse.org for the full list of what you may and may not include. Boxes are to be arranged for either a girl or boy, in age ranges of 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. You can also donate $7 online to follow your box and see who receives it and where in the world they are.

The Family Living Center is located at 101 W. 38th Street in South Sand Springs.