Operation Christmas Child spreads holiday cheer to children worldwide

November 17, 2022 Last Updated: November 17, 2022 11:43 PM Digital Media Exclusive

Lisa McClelland, 58, left, of Zion United Methodist Church, helps Karrie Hickey, of Jefferson Center Presbyterian Church, carry donation shoeboxes for Samaritan Purse’s Operation Christmas Child at Zion United Methodist Church in Sarver on Monday, Nov. 14, 2022. The donations are collected throughout the year and are shipped throughout the world to at-risk children at orphanages and hospitals. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

Nearly 200 million children will receive kindness in a shoebox again this year.

The program Operation Christmas Child, which sends Christmas gifts to children in more than 170 countries and territories, kicked off Monday morning at multiple participating churches throughout Butler County. Led by Christian humanitarian organization Samaritan Purse, which began the program in 1993, the outreach brings blessings to children who might not otherwise get anything for Christmas.

Anyone looking to donate to Operation Christmas Child can contact John or Jane Woitas, who serves as area coordinator for Butler and Armstrong counties, at 724-352-9005. Donors also can contribute by visiting samaritanspurse.org/occ. Each shoebox costs $25 and includes the $10 shipping and distribution costs.

Dropoff locations

Community Alliance Church, 800 Mercer Road

5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Friday

9 to 11 a.m. Thursday, Saturday

1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 20

9 a.m. to noon Nov. 21

Zion United Methodist Church, 438 Bear Creek Road, Sarver

9 to 11 a.m. Friday

6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday

10 a.m. to noon Saturday

12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 20

8 to 10 a.m. Nov. 21

Chicora Alliance Church, 310 E. Slippery Rock St., Chicora

10 a.m. to noon Wednesday

4 to 6 p.m. Thursday

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday

9 to 11 a.m. Saturday

4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 20

9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 21

Advance Community Church, 226 Crowe Ave., Mars

9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Friday

3;30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday

Noon to 2 p.m. Saturday

12:30 to 3 p.m. Nov. 20

9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 21

Apollo Free Methodist Church, 1027 State Route 56, Apollo

9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Friday, Saturday

9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday

Noon to 2 p.m. Sunday

7:30 to 9:30 a.m. Nov. 21

Walkchalk Salem Baptist Church, 1006 Butler Road, Kittanning

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday

9 a.m. to noon and 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday

9 a.m. to noon Friday

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

Noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 20

7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Nov. 21

Friendship Presbyterian Church, Community Center, 886 New Castle Road, Slippery Rock

1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday and Sunday

5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday and Saturday

9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Nov. 21

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