Blacksburg residents pack shoe box gifts for hurting children worldwide

BLACKSBURG - It's a heartbreaking reality. Millions of boys and girls around the world live in difficult circumstances and are in desperate need of hope. Whether they are slum dwellers in Calcutta or orphans in Johannesburg, children long to know that they are loved.

Operation Christmas Child is one way you can make a difference in a young person's life. Since 1983, this Samaritan's Purse project has shared the Good News of God's love with hurting children through the simplest gifts - shoe boxes. Filled with school supplies, toys and personal items that are packed by caring people like you, these boxes help introduce children to Jesus Christ.

Local volunteers are collecting simple shoe box gifts personally packed by children, families and individuals in Blacksburg. From Blacksburg, they will be dropped off at the Charlotte regional center, where they are sorted and sent to children around the world.

Families, churches and groups are invited to take part in this unique mission project. Fill a shoe box with such items as school supplies, toys (no war related), hygiene items like toothpaste, toothbrush, soap (no liquid soap or shampoo), washcloths, hard candy (nothing that will melt), sunglasses, hat, socks, etc. Include a personal note about yourself and your family with your address so that the child may write back. Include $7 inside the shoe box for shopping.

The relay center for Blacksburg and surrounding areas is Hopewell Baptist Church, 511 Old Chester Road. There will be someone at the church from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17, through Monday, Nov. 24. The contact person is Don Hamrick, 1-704-516-1117 (c) or 864-839-6996 (h). The church office number is 864- 839-6643.