Staff reports
Volunteers are collecting Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, through Nov. 25. More than 4,700 drop-off locations are open across the country, and shoebox packers can find their local drop-off locations nearest them.
In Beaufort, Riverview Baptist Church at 2209 Boundary Street is the drop-off location.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children, including many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster, in more than 170 countries and territories. Operation Christmas Child hopes to reach another 12 million children in 2024 with the hope of Jesus.
Shoebox packing is fun for individuals, families and groups. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage (https://bit.ly/3Oh6U2w). The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.
“Children need hope, and they need to know that they are not alone and God loves them,” Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham said in a news release. “Gift-filled shoeboxes open the door for us to share the hope of the Gospel with boys and girls around the world. Please pray that these simple gifts have an eternal impact.”
Drop-off locations and hours of operation can be found at https://bit.ly/3APMcUa as participants make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts. The online lookup tool is searchable by City or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop-off.
For more information, call 770-777-9342, or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.
Operation Christmas Child drop-off location
Riverview Baptist Church
2209 Boundary Street, Beaufort
Hours of operation
Thursday, Nov. 21: 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 22: 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 24: 12:30 to 3 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 25: 10 a.m. to noon
