Operation Christmas Child spreads holiday cheer to children worldwide
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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