By By Lydia Grimes
features reporter
Southern Pine is packing shoe boxes filled with small toys and necessities for distribution to children overseas for the annual Operation Christmas Child project.
For more than 35 years, Samaritan’s Purse has been reaching out to the poorest of the world to meet their needs. Pam Hambric, member services secretary of Southern Pine, is coordinating the local operation.
One of the most well-known projects of Samaritan’s Purse is the annual Operation Christmas Child. For the past several years, local churches and organizations have contributed to the needy children of the world, packing shoe boxes with small items to be shipped to children all over the world. These shoe boxes are small, but organizers say they make a big impact on the children who receive them.
Hambric said there is still time to get boxes to Southern Pine and she gave some advice on what to pack.
The boxes won’t hold a lot of things of size, but the good wishes that go with the boxes are recognized.
The most important thing to include is a prayer for the child who will receive it, Samaritan’s Purse instructions say. Determine whether the box will be for a boy or a girl and the age category, and place that information in a prominent place on the box.
Then fill the box with small toys, such as small cars, dolls or stuffed animals; pens, pencils, paper and crayons; hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste or a soap bar; hard candy, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips and flashlights (with batteries). A personal note may be included, along with a photo and address, but be sure to put this in a separate envelope.
Do not include used or damaged items, war-related items such as toy guns; no chocolate, food, liquids, vitamins or anything breakable. Then be sure to include $7 to provide shipping expenses.
Thursday is the last day to bring the boxes by Southern Pine. They will be picked up there and transported to Atlanta. Instructions and labels may be downloaded from the Web site, www.samaritan’spurse.org.