Residents are asked to fill a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child.
Ohio East Area co-coordinator Alicia Zaugg says the initiative is through Samaritans Purse to deliver the gift filled boxes to children across the globe, many suffering from war, poverty, and other disasters.
The boxes need to be filled and marked with the age ranges 2 to 4, 5 to 9, or 10 to 14. She encourages a bigger “wow” toy, hygiene products, and smaller toys.
“Something like a big stuffed animal for a younger child. Something I like to pack is a soccer ball with a pump. Hygiene items I will usually pack is a toothbrush and a comb. School supplies: pencils and crayons, and notepads, and then small toys, yoyo’s, jump ropes, and children love sunglasses.”
Zaugg says there are 13 drop off locations through Tuscarawas, Carroll, Coshocton, Harrison, and Holmes counties.
“In New Phila the New Philadelphia Nazarene Church, in Dover Riverside Community Church, Uhrichsville has Uhrichsville Christian Fellowship, so those are the ones closets to the New Phila area.”
Drop off hours will vary at each location, which also includes First Baptist in Newcomerstown and Oasis Tabernacle in Sugarcreek.
Collection week is November 17th – 24th. More information can be found at samaritanspurse.org and find Operation Christmas Child under the What We Do tab.
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