Local churches need your help making Christmas brighter for children in war-torn and impoverished countries.
They’ve teamed up with Samaritan’s Purse and launched Operation Christmas Child. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 157 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories
photo: SamaritansPurse.org
This year’s campaign runs through Nov. 19. The churches are collecting shoe boxes that contain hygiene items, toys, shoes, clothes, crayons, coloring books or fun items for needy children.
Barbara Hessong is helping lead the effort at Second Baptist Church at 6701 South Staples Street. She said the shoe boxes could change a child’s life. “We’ve heard stories of children not able to go to school because they didn’t have shoes. Then, the box that they got had the right shoes and the exact size that they needed. So, those kind of things. That’s how it can change childrens’ lives,” Hessong said.
Hessong said some may consider purchasing shoebox gifts for boys between the ages of 10 to 14. She said that’s the age group that’s received the least amount of shoeboxes in years past.
The “Operation Christmas Child” campaign launched on Monday, Nov. 12. So far, 680 shoe boxes have been collected but Hessong hopes to collect 8,000 boxes by Monday.
If you’d like to help, here’s a list of the Local Collection Sites:
Corpus Christi, TX – Second Baptist Church
6701 S Staples Street
Corpus Christi TX 78413-5406
Wed, Nov. 14: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thu, Nov. 15: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri, Nov. 16: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 17: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun, Nov. 18: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Mon, Nov. 19: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Orange Grove, TX – The Grove Baptist Church
610 S Reynolds Orange Grove TX 78372
Wed, Nov. 14: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Thu, Nov. 15: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Fri, Nov. 16: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 17: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sun, Nov. 18: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Mon, Nov. 19: 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Portland, TX – First Baptist Church
1305 Wildcat Drive Portland TX 78374-2811
Wed, Nov. 14: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
Thu, Nov. 15: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri, Nov. 16: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 17: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sun, Nov. 18: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Mon, Nov. 19: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Corpus Christi, TX – Calallen Baptist Church
13505 Ih 37 Corpus Christi TX 78410-4606
Wed, Nov. 14: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Thu, Nov. 15: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Thu, Nov. 15: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Fri, Nov. 16: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Fri, Nov. 16: 1:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 17: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 17: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Sun, Nov. 18: 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Mon, Nov. 19: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Rockport, TX – First Baptist Church
1515 N Live Oak Street Rockport TX 78382-3024
Wed, Nov. 14: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Thu, Nov. 15: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Fri, Nov. 16: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 17: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Sun, Nov. 18: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Mon, Nov. 19: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
For more information about Samaritan’s Purse, visit their website here.
