The Niccolls Church Women’s Fellowship invites the community join them in Operation Christmas Child, a charitable effort in support of disadvantaged children around the world.
During the next couple of weeks, the women will be assembling gift boxes of toys, school and hygiene supplies and other items that can be sent to needy children during the holiday season.
The sponsoring organization, Samaritan’s Purse, is a non-denominational Christian humanitarian organization that works worldwide to assist people in physical need alongside their Christian missionary work.
Folks can help by filling a shoebox of their own, or donating items for the boxes.
Suggested school supplies include pencils and sharpeners, crayons, markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books.
Toys such as small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky, etc. will be accepted.
Also, hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), combs, washcloths, etc.
Miscellaneous items could include t-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries), etc.
You may also include a personal note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family.
If you choose to fill your own, use an empty standard-size shoebox or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box—lid separately—but wrapping is not required. Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2 to 4, 5 to 9, or 10 to 14.
Labels are available at Niccolls or you may simply mark your box with the gender and age category.
Please include $7 or more for each shoebox you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs.
All items or filled boxes are asked to be dropped at Niccolls Church by Thursday, November 19th. They will be transported to a collection center in Boonville.
“We had a great response from the community last year and ended up with more than 50 filled boxes. It’s a fun project, especially if you have children or grandkids help you select stuff for the boxes,” said Ruth Brussel, Women’s Fellowship member.
Niccolls Church is located at 228 Crosby Blvd., next to the Old Forge Library. More information is available by calling (315) 369-3475.
