The Garden City Telegram
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Local church participates in 'Operation Christmas Child'
Published 11/13/2009 in Local News
By RACHAEL GRAY
Children in kindergarten through grade six shrieked, ran, yelled, cheered and helped one another Wednesday night at Bible Christian Church, 1501 W. Mary St.
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Rachael Gray/Telegram Kristi Greene, left, helps Alexa Lightner, 7, and Faith Gonzalez, 6, assemble a box of goods and toys Wednesday during Bible Christian Church’s project for Operation Christmas Child. The boxes will go to less fortunate children overseas.
At times, it was chaos.
But it was for a cause.
As a part of the church's Awana gatherings, children assembled boxes of toys and goods to send to less fortunate children around the world.
The project is called Operation Christmas Child.
Since 1993, the organization reports nearly 69 million boys and girls in more than 130 countries received the boxed gifts.
In 2008, nearly 8 million shoe box gifts were collected in the United States and other sending nations.
Jerome Greene, Awana commander, said Bible Christian Church has been involved in Operation Christmas Child for five years.
"Every year, they've got new ideas," Greene said.
He said the boxes used to be shoe boxes, but because of the durability and usability of plastic boxes, the organization has made the switch.
"The kids can keep using the plastic boxes longer than the shoe boxes," Greene said.
Greene said the object of the project is to make children feel the joy of giving, not just receiving presents, during the holidays.
It's something people forget, he said.
"It's a way for us to give something in the U.S., where things are plentiful, to help those who are less fortunate," he said.
The boxes are filled with toys, school supplies and necessity items, then taken to drop-off locations around the country.
Children, parents, volunteers and anyone involved provided the items for the boxes. The items are in three categories: hygienic items, school supplies, and "fun stuff," Greene said.
Greene said that during November, Bible Christian Church focuses on missions and sponsors a couple of area families for Christmas.
Moses Rodriguez, 7, packed a box for a boy Wednesday night at the church. He said he wasn't sure where this particular box would go.
But he thought "someone without a house" would be receiving it.
Riley Methenny, 6, said she was packing a box for a girl.
"It's going to people who don't have presents on Christmas," she said.
Last year, the church sent 48 boxes, and this year it will be sending 57.
The boxes are being collected at Family Bookhouse, 519 N. Main St. Semi trucks then will haul the boxes to Denver, one of six regional centers in the country, where volunteers inspect the boxes and pack them into cartons. The boxes are then shipped around the world.
Joan Lobmeyer, co-owner of Family Bookhouse, said the store has collected 217 boxes so far from various churches and organizations, as well as a few individuals.
Last year Family Bookhouse collected 692 boxes.
"We're hoping for more, but it's up to the people," Lobmeyer said.
The last day to drop off boxes is Monday, Nov. 23, before noon.
Family Bookhouse hours are Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The store will be open Sunday, Nov. 22, from 1 to 4 p.m. for collections.
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