‘Operation Christmas Child’ collections to begin

Next week, four locations in the Bend area will serve as collection sites for Operation Christmas Child — the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. The annual Samaritan’s Purse project is a favorite of many Bend residents, families, churches and groups who spread joy to millions of child ren around the world by filling shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement.

“Through the simple act of filling a shoebox, someone in Bend can make a tangible difference in the life of a child halfway around the world. Anyone can participate and bring joy to a child facing difficult circumstances,” said Operation Christmas Child Regional Director Michael Ishmael.

During National Collection Week, Nov. 16 – 23, Bend residents hope to contribute more than 6,000 gift-filled shoeboxes to the 2015 global goal of reaching 11 million child ren in need.

Local Collection Sites:

Bend, OR – New Hope Church
20080 Pinebrook Boulevard
Bend, OR 97702

Mon , Nov. 16: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Tue , Nov. 17: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Wed , Nov. 18: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Thu , Nov. 19: 3 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Fri , Nov. 20: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Sat , Nov. 21: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Sun , Nov. 22: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Mon , Nov. 23: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Sunriver, OR – The Door Church
56870 Venture Lane
Sunriver, OR 97707

Mon , Nov. 16: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Tue , Nov. 17: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Wed , Nov. 18: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Thu , Nov. 19: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Fri , Nov. 20: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sat , Nov. 21: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Sun , Nov. 22: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Mon , Nov. 23: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Redmond, OR – Highland Baptist Church
3100 SW Highland Avenue
Redmond, OR 97756

Mon , Nov. 16: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Tue , Nov. 17: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Wed , Nov. 18: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Thu , Nov. 19: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Fri , Nov. 20: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sat , Nov. 21: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sun , Nov. 22: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Mon , Nov. 23: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Sisters, OR – Sisters Community Church
1300 W McKenzie Highway
Sisters, OR 97759

Mon , Nov. 16: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tue , Nov. 17: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wed , Nov. 18: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Thu , Nov. 19: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Fri , Nov. 20: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sat , Nov. 21: 9 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Sun , Nov. 22: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Mon , Nov. 23: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.

Hours subject to change.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 124 million child ren in more than 150 countries and territories. For many of these child ren, a gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.

For more information about how to participate in Operation Christmas Child call (253) 572-1155 . With a computer or mobile device, anyone can conveniently pack a personalized Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift on the Samaritan’s Purse website. Go to samaritanspurse.org/occ to select toys and gift items, write a note of encouragement and “pack” them in a shoebox. These gifts of hope will go to child ren in some of the hardest-to-reach countries.

Using special tracking technology, participants can follow their box to discover where in the world their gift is delivered by using the donation form found at samaritanspurse.org/occ .