Independently owned since 1905
Church packs shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child
Members of Open Door Baptist Church in Thompson Falls are bringing Christmas cheer to children around the world this year. Operation Christmas Child, affiliated with Samaritan's Purse, is a program that helps deliver shoeboxes full of gifts to children in remote areas around the world.
Ramona Jacobson, head coordinator for the program, has a real passion for the project. "I remember doing this as a kid," Jacobson said. "The church has been an official drop off location for the last two years." Jacobson says the program started in 1990 and merged with Samaritan's Purse after three years, and has been going strong ever since.
Each shoebox is filled with Christmas gifts, personal letters, photos, booklets and bibles that have been translated into the appropriate language for the country of intent. "This shoebox might be the only gift they get, so we like to start off with a larger 'wow' item," Jacobson explained. "We then add in hygiene products such as soap and toothbrushes, and then little toy items." The shoeboxes can be built for girls or boys who range in age from two years old to 14 years old.
During the third week of November, volunteers gathered at Open Door Baptist Church to assemble the shoeboxes. "We filled 293 shoeboxes this year," Jacobson said. "We received donations from Plains all the way to Coeur d'Alene. My dream one day would be to get the local schools involved."
The program is garnishing attention, due to the 174 filled shoeboxes last year. "It's a way to get the good news of Jesus Christ to the kids," she said. "It's missionary work that you get to be a part of internationally. Being a believer, I want to be the hands and feet for this program."
Jacobson says shoeboxes can still be built online. "It's a great way to send off shoeboxes to those countries who have strict shipping restrictions," she said. To be part of Operation Christmas Child and send a shoebox, visit samaritanspurse.org.
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