This month, sites in the Bradford area will be among 5,000 U.S. drop-off locations collecting shoebox gifts for children overseas during Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week, Nov. 18-25.
Bradford families, churches and groups are busy transforming empty shoeboxes into fun gifts filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items. The Samaritan’s Purse project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine. For many of these children, it will be the first gift they have ever received.
This year, Bradford-area residents hope to collect more than 3,312 gifts to contribute to the 2019 global goal of reaching 11 million children.
“I love seeing the local community rally together for a global impact,” said Regional Director Bill Rumbaugh. “We see all ages getting involved — and more and more every year.”
Collection sites are in Emporium, St. Marys and Bradford.
In Bradford, donations can be dropped off at First Baptist Church from 3 to 6 p.m. Nov. 18, Nov. 19 and Nov. 21; from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 20; 3 to 7 p.m. Nov. 22; noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 23; 1 to 6 p.m. Nov. 24; and 7 to 9 a.m. Nov. 25.
In Emporium, donations can be dropped off at the Emporium First United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18 to 21; from 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 22; from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 23; from 8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 24; and from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 25.
In St. Marys, donations can be dropped off at the Faith Baptist Church from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 18, Nov. 20 and Nov. 22; from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 19 and 21; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 23; noon to 3 p.m. Nov. 24; and 7 to 9 a.m. Nov. 25.
For additional drop-off locations visit our drop-off locator online.
For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 410-772-7360, or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Participants can donate $9 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. 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.
