RIO GRANDE — Sites in the Rio Grande area will be among 5,000 U.S. drop-off locations collecting shoebox gifts for children overseas during Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week, Nov. 12-19.
Rio Grande area families, churches and groups are busy transforming shoeboxes into fun gifts filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items.
The Samaritan’s Purse project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty, and famine.
For many of these children, it will be the first gift they have ever received.
This year, Rio Grande-area residents hope to collect more than 20,819 gifts to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching 11 million children.
“We are honored to be linking arms with our community to help children around the world experience the true meaning of Christmas,” stated Regional Director Bill Rumbaugh, in a release. “These simple gifts show God’s love to children facing difficult circumstances.”
Collection central in Cape May County is First United Methodist Church
1 Church Street, Court House.
Dates and times for the collection are:
Nov. 12-16: 5 to 7 p.m.
Nov. 17: 2 to 5 p.m.
Nov. 18: 1 to 4 p.m.
Nov. 19: 8 to 10 a.m.
