Area Families Help Operation Christmas Child Change Lives with Simple Gifts

Maynardville, TN, July 2021— Union County families believe it is never too early to make a difference, which is why, whether it is July or December, they are transforming shoeboxes into gifts of joy. Operation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, delivers the shoeboxes—filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys—to children in need worldwide.

During a global pandemic in 2020, the local area team collected 9,502 shoebox gifts! WOW! In a pandemic! The local Operation Christmas Child Area Team hopes to collect 10,500 shoebox gifts in 2021. We are confident that our area will reach or surpass the 2021 goal of 10,500 shoebox gifts!

“Reaching 10,500 children with gifts of hope requires a massive, year-round effort, and we are so grateful for the dedicated volunteers who give of their time and resources throughout the year to collect as many gift-filled shoeboxes as possible,” said Amie Winstead, Area Coordinator for the Cumberland Pathway Area Team. “Through these simple gifts, we are able to make a lasting impact on a child’s life and share a tangible expression of God’s love. Lives are being transformed, locally and globally, as a result of this ministry.”

National Collection Week is Nov. 15 – 22, when some 5,000 drop-off sites will be open to receive shoebox gifts around the country. Your local drop-off site is Milan Baptist Church in Maynardville, TN.

To learn more about year-round volunteer opportunities in Union County or to learn how you, your church, your community or student group or business can participate in this life-changing project, residents can call or text Amie Winstead at 865-742-9701, email Amie at awinstead.occ@aol.com or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Participants can donate $9 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 168 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.