Collections underway for Operation Christmas Child

Published 9:00 am Monday, November 12, 2018

This month, sites in the Meridian 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. 12-19, according to a news release from Samaritan’s Purse International Relief.

Meridian families, churches and groups are busy transforming empty shoeboxes into 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, Meridian-area residents hope to collect more than 24,300 gifts to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching 11 million children.

“We are honored to be linking arms with our community to help children around the world experience the true meaning of Christmas,” said Regional Director Shelli Wishard, “These simple gifts show God’s love to children facing difficult circumstances.”

For more information on how to participate, call 770-777-9342, or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Local collection sites include:

Meridian, Fifteenth Avenue Baptist Church, 1318 15th Avenue

Tuesday, Nov. 13: 8 a.m. to noon

Wednesday, Nov. 14: 8 a.m. to noon

Thursday, Nov. 15: 8 a.m. to noon

Friday, Nov. 16: 8 a.m. to noon

Saturday, Nov. 17: 8 a.m. to noon

Sunday, Nov. 18: 1-5 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 19: 8-11 a.m.

Collinsville, First Baptist Church at Collinsville Community Club, 9161 Old Highway 19 N.

Tuesday, Nov. 13: 9 a.m. to noon, 6-8 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 14: 9 a.m. to noon

Thursday, Nov. 15: 9 a.m. to noon, 6-8 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 16: 9 a.m. to noon

Saturday, Nov. 17: 9 a.m. to noon

Sunday, Nov. 18: 2-4 p.m.

Mon, Nov. 19: 8-10 a.m.

Philadelphia, East Philadelphia Baptist Church, 635 E Main St.

Tuesday, Nov. 13: 1-5 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 14: 5-8 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 15: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 16: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 17: 10 a.m. to noon

Sunday, Nov. 18: 1-5 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 19: 9-11 a.m.

Decatur, MS – Clarke Venable Memorial Baptist Church, 362 W Broad St.

Tuesday, Nov. 13: 2-6 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 14: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 15: 3-7 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 16: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 17: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 18: 2-4 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 19: 8-10 a.m.