Pack A Shoebox for Operation Christmas Child

Volunteers at the First Baptist Church of Sturgeon Bay pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child and write notes to the children who will receive the shoebox gifts. Submitted.

Volunteers are getting ready to receive hundreds of filled shoebox gifts from churches, service groups and individuals from all over Door and Kewaunee counties for Operation Christmas Child (OCC). The nationwide collection week for OCC is Nov. 16-22. Locally, shoebox gifts can be dropped off at the First Baptist Church Relay Center at 610 N. Fifth Ave., Sturgeon Bay during designated collection hours.

To pack a shoebox gift, start with a standard-size cardboard or plastic shoebox. Fill the shoebox with new items for a boy or girl age 2-4 years, 5-9 years, or 10-14 years. Suggested items are school supplies, hygiene items, toys, flashlights with extra batteries, hard candy/gum in a Ziploc bag, and clothes. A picture or note to the child receiving the box can also be included. Paste the label on your box (labels available online) and add $7 or more (make donations payable to Samaritan’s Purse) to cover shipping costs. Or, pay the shipping costs online at samaritanspurse.org and receive a tag to track your box’s final destination.

Collection hours are 4 to 6 pm Nov. 16 – 20, and 1 to 3 pm Nov. 21 & 22. For more information, visit samaritanspurse.org or call 920.825.1104.