Churches throughout Snohomish and Island counties are joining in a national relief effort — preparing simple Christmas gifts for children around the world.
Last year 10,538 shoebox-sized gift boxes were shipped from Snohomish County as part of Operation Christmas Child, a program of the international relief organization Samaritian’s Purse.
This year, the goal is to gather 12,000 boxes from local churches and communities, said Tamara Young, a member of Mukilteo Presbyterian Church. She and her husband Jim Young are coordinating the effort in Snohomish County.
Basic hygiene and school supplies are the most needed items, such as pencils, paper, toothbrushes, wash cloths and soap, she said.
The goal at her church is finding gifts for boys 10- to 14-years-old. The boxes are being packed with items such as small tool sets, flashlights, soccer balls and pumps, she said.
Over the years, the boxes have been sent to countries such as Mongolia, Madagascar, Indonesia, Nepal, Mexico and the Philippines. One shipment to the Philippines came in a year when the country had endured five hurricanes. “Those kids were so happy to get those boxes,” Tamara Young said.
Although the program is a church-based effort, anyone in the community can participate. Gift boxes can be dropped off at area churches during the nationally designated collection week of Nov. 16 through 23. “You shouldn’t have to drive longer than 30 minutes to drop your box off,” Young said. A list of all participating churches and the hours they will be accepting donations is available online.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift boxes to more than 124 million children in 150 countries. Last year, more than 10.4 million children received gift boxes, according to Kelsy Heng, a spokeswoman for Operation Christmas Child. Some 61,231 of those boxes came from the Puget Sound region.
In Arlington, Bonnie Buse is heading up the effort at Atonement Free Lutheran Church, which is participating in the program for its 17th year. Last year, more than 1,000 boxes were shipped from the church. The gift boxes often are delivered to orphans and street children, she said.
In Snohomish, about 80 volunteers packed up 528 boxes during a work session Oct. 10. That’s just the beginning of the effort in Snohomish, said Penny Kendrick, who is heading the effort at Christ the King Community Church.
“I started passing out boxes Sunday at church,” Kendrick said. Donations from church and the community totaled 2,544 boxes being shipped last year, she said. This year, her goal is 3,000.
“They tell me I can’t do it,” Kendrick said. She remains undeterred.
“I’ve been doing this since it started 23 years ago,” Kendrick said. “I don’t plan to quit. It’s too important of a ministry.”
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.
More information on Operation Christmas Child is available at www.samaritanspurse.org. Gift boxes can be dropped off at a number of area churches during national collection week of Nov. 16 through 23. A listing by ZIP code can be found at www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child.
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