Adrian, MI – Just over 2,300 shoebox gifts were packed by Lenawee county residents and dropped at two Operation Christmas Child sites in Lenawee county last week. 52 volunteers at St. John’s Lutheran Church and Addison Congregational Church used COVID-19 safety protocols to accept the 2,304 shoeboxes full of school supplies, hygiene items and toys from generous donors. Those gifts are now on their way to needy boys and girls between ages 2 and 14 in 100 countries.
The Samaritan’s Purse project has brought hope to 178 million children since 1993. The two Lenawee county churches were part of the network of 4,000 drop off locations across the country. Although the two churches had hoped for 3,000 shoeboxes, coordinators Jamie Anderson and Margaret Duffy are pleased that so many new people packed boxes and volunteered during 2020.
“It just shows that the people of this county are generous, even during a pandemic,” said Anderson.
Duffy added that it is gratifying to realize these gifts will join others at a Chicago Operation Christmas Child processing center this week, so they can be on their way as Christmas gifts to children who many never have received a Christmas gift.
“The important thing is that these children will realize God loves them, and they are not forgotten,” said Duffy.
Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 178 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.
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*Featured image Courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse*