Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization based in Boone, N.C., is working to provide children devastated by poverty, war and natural disaster with a tangible expression of God’s love.

The project has delivered the joy of Christmas to more than 54 million children around the world since 1993. Shoe boxes filled with gifts are collected through Operation Christmas Child as a small part of the humanitarian mission of Samaritan’s Purse, Orangeburg resident Mary Raymond says.

“They are meeting needs around the world in the name of Christ. This will probably be the only gift some of these children will get in their lifetime,” said Raymond, who helps coordinate the project locally.

To send a gift, individuals are asked to use a standard-size empty shoe box or a small plastic container, then decide whether their gift will be for a boy or girl and the child’s age category. An appropriate label from an Operation Christmas Child brochure should be taped to the box.

Those who need a label can download one at www.samaritanspurse.org.

Individuals are asked to fill the shoebox with gifts and include $7 or more to help with shipping and project costs. A rubber band should be placed around each shoe box, and the boxes can be dropped off at the nearest collection center. In the Orangeburg area, gifts may be taken to the First Baptist Church Family Life Center on Columbia Road during collection times.

Raymond said the children’s age categories are ages 2 to 4, 5 to 9 and 10 to 14.

Suggested toys for the gift boxes are: Small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos and jump ropes. Also recommended are school supplies such as pens, pencils, sharpeners, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books.

Hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and mild bar soaps can also be sent, along with combs and wash clothes. It is also OK to include hard candy, lollipops, mints, gum, flashlights (with extra batteries), socks, T-shirts, watches, toy jewelry and hair clips.

Items that will not be accepted are: Used or damaged items, war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures, chocolate or foods, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers and aerosol cans.

Brochures providing donation envelopes and special shoe box labels are available at participating local churches including First Baptist Church in Orangeburg or by calling Samaritan’s Purse, toll free, 1-800-353-5949 or visiting www.samaritanspurse.org. Materials are also available by visiting the First Baptist Church Family Life Center at 2875 Columbia Rd., or calling 803-534-2960.

Once the gifts are gathered, the shoe boxes are transported to a warehouse in Charlotte, N.C., where thousands of volunteers inspect and prepare them for shipment overseas. The gift boxes are then airlifted, trucked or shipped to children around the world.

“Schools, churches, civic groups and individuals are participating,” said Raymond, noting that approximately 2,000 shoe boxes were collected from this area last year.

The area drop-off for shoe boxes will be at the Family Life Center on the following times and dates:

n Nov. 19 (Wednesday) 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

n Nov. 20 and Nov. 21 (Thursday and Friday) 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

n Nov. 22 (Saturday) 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

n Nov. 23 (Sunday) 1-3 p.m.

n Nov. 24 (Monday) 8-10 a.m.

n T&D Staff Writer Dionne Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5534. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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