Operation Christmas Child is a worldwide children's project that uses simple gift-filled shoeboxes containing school supplies, toys, necessities and notes of encouragement to let hurting children know God loves them.
For the second year, Darwin Knight and Sally McSherry from the Coquille Church joined Samaritan’s Purse to gather boxes in November for this worthwhile purpose.
Operation Christmas Child reached a major milestone in 2012 — delivering shoeboxes to more than 100 million children since the project began in 1993.
Millions of hurting children who are victims of poverty, natural disaster, war, terrorism and famine receive Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts. For some of these boys and girls, it is the first gift they have ever received. Through the power of a simple gift and the message of hope through Jesus Christ, these children learn that they are loved and not forgotten.
Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts will be hand-delivered to children in more than 100 countries on six continents. Boxes from Oregon will go to the Philippines.
The Coquille Church put together 173 shoeboxes, and the Bandon Church put together 29 boxes. As an area collection point, the Coquille Church collected 521 boxes — up from 305 in 2012.