Coggin Avenue Baptist Church invites the public to a special 2012 kickoff event for Operation Christmas Child at 6:00pm on Sunday, October 7at the CABC Connection Center located at 1715 Coggin Avenue.
Organizers state that the program is already getting underway. Currently in Brownwood area homes, schools, and churches, people are filing up shoeboxes. They are filled not with shoes, but toys, school supplies and toiletries, lovingly selected for a child in need. Brownwood kids are participating in Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, to make a statement to needy children worldwide telling them, “You are not forgotten!”
Tatiana Woods received a shoe box gift nine years ago while in a Russian orphanage. She now lives in Texas and at the kickoff event will share her story of how a simple shoebox brought a ray of color and hope into her life.
“It is amazing to hear how these children come full circle from getting a box to packing and giving boxes,” said Bettie Evans, member of Coggin Avenue Baptist Church.
Organizers encourage participants to begin collecting and filling boxes now. Please include a small toy, toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, wash cloth, soap, hair brush, etc., no liquids), sunglasses, shirt, socks, and hard candy. Then bring boxes to the local collection center – Coggin Avenue Baptist Connection Center 1715 Coggin Avenue from November 12 thru 19.
Collection times are noted below:
Monday, Nov 12th – 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Tuesday, Nov 13th thru Thursday, Nov 15th – 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Friday, Nov 16th – 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Saturday, Nov 17th – 10:00 am – 12:00 Noon
Sunday, Nov18 – 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Monday, Nov 19 – 9:30 am – 11:00 am
If the above scheduled times are not convenient, participants can call the main church office at 325-646-1506 to make arrangements to drop off shoeboxes.
“I promise you will receive a huge blessing knowing you helped a child who has nothing to call his own. Some children have to share a toothbrush if they have one at all,” said Evans who encourages everyone to come Sunday to hear Tatiana’s story Sunday.
By participating in Operation Christmas Child, those involved help make Christmas a reality for 8.6 million hurting children worldwide.
Operation Christmas Child uses simple gift-filled shoeboxes to let hurting children know that they are loved. Kids, families, groups, and schools pack empty shoe box gifts with items most people take for granted, including toothpaste, toothbrush, toys, hard candy and pencils. They then drop them off at a location such as Coggin Avenue Baptist Church, the drop spot in Brownwood. The shoe boxes go from Brownwood, to Abilene, to Denver, Colorado. They then are hand delivered to children worldwide using whatever mean necessary – sea containers, trucks, trains, airplanes, helicopters, boats, elephants, and dog sleds.
Last year Brownwood and surrounding areas delivered 1949 boxes to Abilene. Organizers hope to double last years’ 1949 boxes in 2012.
This small sacrifice can have a lifelong impact on a needy child. It is also a great way to teach a child to share by letting them help pick out what goes into a box and be part of something great. Last year 8.6 million boxes were delivered to children who are suffering because of natural disaster, disease, war, terrorism, famine and poverty.
Anyone can participate in Operation Christmas Child right now. National Collection week is November 12 thru 19. For more information on how to participate or receive a pamphlet with directions call Coggin Avenue Baptist Church @ 325-646-1506.
Operation Christmas Child is a project of international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham. While Samaritan’s Purse works to meet critical physical needs, such as clean water, health care and food, Operation Christmas Child addresses a need for which children are just as desperate – the need to have hope and feel loved. For some children it may be the first gift they have ever received.
