Community invited to participate in Shoebox Christmas drive
by Elizabeth Wood West
Castle Pines Community Church (CPCC) is inviting the public to share in the spirit of giving this holiday season by participating in Operation Christmas Child – giving shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, and personal items to needy children all over the world. Operation Christmas Child is an annual event put on by Samaritan’s Purse, a national Christian relief and evangelism organization led by Franklin Graham. CPCC, located at 7280 Lagae Road in Castle Pines (in the King Soopers shopping center) has volunteered to be the community’s drop off location.
Emily Hibpshman, Director of Children’s Ministry at CPCC, has set a goal of 300 shoeboxes. Interested families should begin by visiting www.samaritanspurse.org and click on “Operation Christmas Child.” Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl and the child’s age category (2-4, 5-9, or 10-14). Print out the appropriate boy/girl label. Mark the correct age category on the label and tape it to the top of the lid of your own shoebox. Shoeboxes and lids may be wrapped (separately). Fill the box with gifts and supplies; the website has suggested gift ideas. Next, donate $7 or more for each shoebox you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can give online by clicking on the “Follow Your Box Donation” option or write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. Do not seal the box. If preparing more than one shoebox, make one combined donation.
Drop your shoebox off at CPCC during national collection week, November 14 to 21, as follows:
Monday, November 14 through Thursday, November 17: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Friday, November 18 through Sunday, November 20: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday, November 21: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Hibpshman said, “Many of the kids receiving these boxes have never been given a gift. It’s so wonderful the difference a shoebox filled with love can make!” For further information, contact Emily Hibpshman at 303-663-9755 or emilyh@castlepineschurch.org.
