Samaritan's Purse Opens New Facility for Operation Christmas Child
One of the world's largest international gift programs for children recently got bigger thanks to the addition of a 30,000-square-foot facility to the international headquarters of Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse.
One of the world’s largest international gift programs for children recently got bigger thanks to the addition of a 30,000-square-foot facility to the international headquarters of Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse. In the next few weeks, the new facility—one of six across the nation—will see more then 4,000 volunteers and staff flood to help send gift boxes to some seven million children in 95 countries.
“God has blessed Operation Christmas Child with growth that we never could have imagined,” said Franklin Graham, the CEO and president of Samaritan’s Purse, as reported by the Watauga Democrat. “Over the last five years the number of shoe boxes has more than doubled. We’re truly grateful to everyone who participates, so that millions of children can experience the true meaning of Christmas – God’s gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.”
The only facility open year-round to receive gift-filled shoe boxes from the local community and around the world, the new building in Boone, North Carolina features a processing center that will inspect, pack and ship more than 400,000 gifts packed by children, families, and groups from across the country for children in need around the world.
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“Each box that is packed, collected and sent through the facility in Boone will be a source of joy to a hurting child far away,” said Jim Harrelson, international director of Operation Christmas Child, according to the Democrat. Among those children include survivors of war in the Sudan, a hurricane in Grenada, and school terrorism in Beslan, Russia.
“We praise God for his blessing on Operation Christmas Child over the years, and look forward to seeing the project grow and flourish with the opening of this new facility,” Harrelson added. “Just imagine, over 400,000 children will be blessed with joy and hope from the work in this warehouse this season.”
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 31 million shoebox gifts, reaching more children with more gifts than any other comparable program.
Operation Christmas Child encourages children, families, churches and groups to fill empty shoeboxes with small toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and personal letters for needy children worldwide.
For more information about Operation Christmas Child, call 1-800-353-5949 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org
