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Operation Christmas Child

Shoeboxes filled with love

Submitted Photo Lois A. Kankovsky stands by a shelf full of shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse.

Area churches, organizations and individuals are mobilizing to add some joy to the Christmas season for children far away.

Each year, shoe boxes filled with toys, candy, school supplies and hygiene items are shipped around the world to be opened by youngsters. It is all part of Operation Christmas Child, an effort sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse.

The White Cross Circle at First Baptist Church, is just one of many area groups that packs the shoe boxes each year. Lois A. Kankovsky said the group met on Thursday and packed 75 boxes in under an hour.

Church members decide whether they wanted to pack a box for a girl or for a boy. They also decided whether they wanted the box to be opened by a child between the ages of 2 to 4, 5 to 9 or 10 to 14.

People can use a pre-printed shoe box or another cardboard or plastic shoebox.

Good Samaritan suggets that one item in the box be a “wow” item such as a soccer ball with a pump, a stuffed animal, a toy puppet or truck, a doll, a musical instrument, outfit or shoes.

Other items that kids enjoy include toy cars, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up and make noise, with extra batteries. School supplies that fit into the box might include crayons, markers, pens, pencils and pencil sharpeners, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books.

Non-liquid hygiene items such as toothbrushes, bar soap, combs and washcloths can be included. Other people also include T-shirts, socks, sunglasses, hair clips, jewelry, watches or flashlights. Hard candy, gummy bears, caramels, taffy or gum can be included in 2016.

Gifts that are not allowed are used or damaged items, war-related items, chocolate or food, out of date candy, fruit rolls or other fruit snacks, drink mixes, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items or aerosol cans.

Some people also include a note to the child or a photo of themselves in the box so the recipient child knows who packed the box for them.

Church groups are also encouraged to pray for the children who receive the boxes.

“We just feel this is one way to share the love of Jesus,” said Kankovsky.

People are also asked to donate $7 to send the box overseas.

In Minot, the shoe boxes will be collected during the week of Nov. 14 at First Assembly of God Church, 1805 2nd Street SE. Church secretary Cindy Nelson said the hours of operation that week are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except for Wednesday, the 16th, when it will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, the 19th, when the church will be open from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, the 20th, when the church will be open from  8:30 to noon.

Boxes will be transported to a receiving center in Bismarck on Nov. 21.

Nelson said the church has pre-printed shoe boxes available for people to pick up and fill at home as well.

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