It may still be more than a month away from Christmas, but Helena area families are already getting into the holiday spirit by bringing joy to children overseas.
Operation Christmas Child is a humanitarian effort to provide shoebox gifts to children affected by war, disaster, poverty, and famine around the world.
People are asked to fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for the kids or make a $9 donation directly.
November 12-19 is national collection week and people in Helena can drop their boxes off at Our Redeemer’s Lutheran Church at 3580 North Benton Avenue.
The Central Montana Area Team volunteers hope to collect more than 3,300 gifts during the week.
“We believe these simple gifts have the ability to send a tangible message of hope to children facing difficult circumstances,” said Regional Director Nathan Jansen.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, through Samaritan’s Purse International Relief, has collected and delivered more than 157 million gift-filled shoeboxes worldwide.
Samaritan’s Purse is an evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to people around the world.
For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, visit their website here.
-Reported by John Riley/MTN News
