Local Churches Collecting Donations for ‘Operation Christmas Child’
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WHEELING -- Collections began Monday for shoeboxes full of toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and other gifts this holiday season for the less fortunate, as part of the Operation Christmas Child drive.
The Warwood Christian Church and the Vineyard Church are accepting donations of packed shoeboxes, loose items and money for the program, which runs through the beginning of next week. Operation Christmas Child is part of Samaritan's Purse, an international relief organization.
Heather Letterman, drop-off team leader at Warwood Christian Church, said that 82 boxes had already been filled by midday Monday, while collections will continue until noon Nov. 22. Last year, the church had collected over 7,000 boxes worth of donations.
"These shoeboxes are shipped all over the world to children who've never received toys, live in orphanages or in terrible situations," Letterman said. "We hear all kinds of stories about how the smallest things touch their lives -- just one toy, or a toothbrush of their very own.
"Last year our shoeboxes went to Mozambique, Haiti and Ecuador. The goal is eight million shoeboxes worldwide to collect, and we did pretty well locally last year, all things considered. Last year, we received 7,718 shoeboxes in the Ohio Valley area. ... Especially considering everything was shut down, it was just an amazing thing that everyone came together, and we had loose items to fill boxes, it just seemed like it was never going to end."
A $9 monetary donation is also asked, to cover shipping fees. Anyone interested in donating goods, money or their time are welcome to join, Letterman said.
"If they just want to come down and pack a box with donated items, they can come, talk to us, hang out and we have plenty of items to pack as well," she said.
Warwood Christian Church is located at the corner of N. 17th Street and Richland Avenue, while the Vineyard Church is located along Warden's Run Road, just past Nicky's Garden Center.
Warwood Christian Church's hours are from 10-noon and 6-8 p.m. On weekends, the hours are from noon to 2. Letterman may be reached at 304-919-7363 with questions. The Vineyard Church could not be immediately reached for further comment Monday.