Operation Christmas Child drop-off begins Monday
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered simple shoebox gifts to more than 198 million children in over 170 countries and territories.
For some of the children who receive a shoebox, it may be the only present they ever receive, according to the group. Each shoebox contains “The Greatest Gift” booklet which is written in over 80 languages describing the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. In addition to the booklet, donors pack each box with medium to large "wow" item such as a soccer ball with pump or stuffed animal, then fill with other fun toys, hygiene items and school supplies.
After receiving their shoebox gift and booklet, each child is offered a 12-week discipleship program called The Greatest Journey. Since 2009, when the program started, almost 27 million children have participated in that study.
There are nearly 5,000 drop-off locations in the United States collecting shoeboxes from Nov. 14 to 21 during National Collection Week. In Butler and Armstrong counties, there are seven drop-off sites.
In 2021, boxes collected in the Butler-Armstrong area were 10,816; the Mid-Atlantic North Region, which includes Pennsylvania and New Jersey, 610,234; in the U.S., 9,127,591; and worldwide, 10,505,155.
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