Once again, itís time to begin packing shoeboxes for the Operation Christmas Child ministry. OCC began under Franklin Grahamís Samaritanís Purse organization. These boxes go to children around the world each year, spreading the Gospel. Operation Christmas Child began in 1993 when 28,000 boxes were sent to Bosnia, which had been devastated by war. Since then, OCC has grown to provide over 220 million children in 170 countries with shoebox gifts. In 2023, 11.3 million children received a lovingly packed shoe box. This canít be done without multitudes of volunteers, however. Dinah Smith, of South Louisville Baptist Church, is currently getting ready to begin collecting shoebox gifts from churches, student and civic groups across Winston and Choctaw County. Shoebox gift ideas include hygiene items, school supplies, toys, and at least one ìwowî item (such as a soccer ball, doll or stuffed animal). However, there ARE items that CANNOT be accepted in OCC shoeboxes, including candy, toothpaste, gum, used items, seeds, food, liquids, medications or breakable items such as mirrors. The Columbus Area OCC Team has been fortunate to have Yulia Fearing, a shoebox recipient from Russia. Yulia saw information about shoebox collections in the paper last year and volunteered to help. She received a shoebox while she was living in an orphanage there. Life was very hard for her. She said she was struggling with the idea that she was not wanted by her family. When she received the shoebox she opened it to find a brand new pair of pink, light-up shoes in her box along with a toothbrush and some other items she treasured. She was elated because the shoes were so cute, they fit her and didnít have holes! She knew that God loved her and that someone was thinking of her when they packed that box. She was later adopted by a family from Texas and married Peter, who is in the Air Force, stationed at CAFB. Yulia, Peter and their three boys will be moving to Germany after Christmas. The SLBC Shoebox Drop-off Center will be located in the gym and run from Sunday, November 17th through Sunday the 24th. Hours are Sunday 11.17, 12-2; Mon. 11.18, 11-1; Tues. 11.19, 11-1; Wed. 11.20 4-6; Thurs. 11.21, 11-1; Fri. 11.22, 11-1; Sat. 11.23, 10-12, and Sun 11.24, 12-4. Over 300 cartons of shoeboxes will be transported to Columbus on Monday morning the 25th, then sent to Atlanta for processing before they are shipped to receiving countries. Anyone interested in donating shoeboxes gifts, items, or volunteering may contact Dinah Smith for more information at 662-803- 9804.
