The nationwide Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry collection period ended on Monday, and Ruth Gray with the local area organization reported that 18,888 shoeboxes filled with surprises for children all over the world were collected and delivered to Princeton First Baptist Church.
The church parking lot had 4 semi-trailers sitting to be loaded with the cartons and ended up with 3 completely full and the 4th one partially filled with each carton containing 15 individual shoeboxes. Gray explained the trailers would be transported to Atlanta to a processing plant where each shoebox would be inspected and then sent on to over 100 countries.
Gray wants to thank the huge number of volunteers who spent time during the collection period to work inside the Christian Life Center with counting and preparing and packing the individual boxes and a special thank you to the individuals and groups that showed up to load the heavy cartons into the trailers. She noted there were more than 365 hours of donated time inside plus many more hours loading the trailers.
click to download audioGray stressed the importance of each shoebox prepared to be sent because each box represents a child.
click to download audioGray invites more people to get involved in preparing shoeboxes in the upcoming year. The program is not just for churches and can be individuals, civic groups, clubs, school groups or a group of friends. She adds that just one shoebox can make a big difference and change a childs life.
click to download audioThe total this year was over 800 more shoeboxes than last year. For more information about the Shoebox Ministry you can contact Ruth Gray at 270-836-8028.
