OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
When: National Collection Week Nov. 17-24
Where: Local drop-off locations are Wylie Methodist Church. 3430 Antilley Road, Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 S. Pioneer Drive, and Trinity Baptist Church, 871 Woodlawn Drive. Drop-off locations also are available in several small towns within the Abilene Area. Click here for a drop-off locator map. 
Contact: Abilene Area coordinator is Naomi Wood. For more information or to request materials, contact Wood at 325-660-5633 or email her at abileneareaocc@gmail.com
Click here for more information about Operation Christmas Child. 
Click here for a link with instructions for packing a shoebox online.
Click here for gift suggestions by age range.

By Loretta Fulton

Naomi Wood, Abilene Area coordinator for Operation Christmas Child, isn’t the least bit worried about meeting this year’s goal for number of boxes collected in her area–7,000.

“Last year our goal was 6,000, and we collected 6,807,” Wood said. 

Last year’s collection was close enough to this year’s goal that Wood feels confident about this year’s success. Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. The annual event began in 1993, and since then 232 million boxes have been delivered to children in more than 100 countries worldwide who otherwise might face a bleak Christmas.

Wood, a member of Wylie Methodist Church, always is eager for the annual National Collection Week, which this year is Nov. 17-24. It’s an opportunity for just about anyone who’s interested to get involved. 

“Our leaders at our drop-off locations are well prepared and excited to greet each donor,” Wood said. 

Wylie Methodist Church and Pioneer Drive Baptist Church are returning as drop-off locations this year. Joining them will be Trinity Baptist Church, 871 Woodlawn Drive. Individuals, Sunday School classes, and organizations are invited to pack boxes, which are available online or by contacting Wood at abileneareaocc@gmail.com. 

Gifts are requested for age ranges 2–4, 5–9, or 10–‍14. Labels are also available online, as well as an online option for packing a virtual shoebox. Click here for a link with instructions for packing a shoebox online. One change this year for boxes packed locally is that soap is no longer permitted. Click here for gift suggestions. 

In addition to the gifts, copies of “The Greatest Journey,” will be distributed. The follow-up discipleship program teaches children to follow Christ and tell others about him. Courses are taught by trained local volunteers. Children who complete the course receive a certificate and a Bible in their language. This year, “The Greatest Journey” will be available in 118 languages. 

Several new churches have joined the shoebox-packing effort this year, Wood said, in addition to those that have been packing boxes for years. 

“There are always more children who need to know Jesus loves them,” Wood said, “and every shoebox gives us a special opportunity to share.”

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene