Several local locations will serve as collection sites this year for Operation Christmas Child, the world's largest Christmas project of its kind.
During National Collection Week on Nov. 14-21, Bayfield residents will donate shoeboxes - filled with school supplies, hygiene items, notes of encouragement and fun toys, such as a doll or soccer ball - for Operation Christmas Child to deliver to children in need around the world.
This year, Bayfield and surrounding cities residents hope to contribute more than 4,900 shoebox gifts toward the 2016 global goal of reaching 12 million children. For many of these children, the gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.
"The shoebox gifts donated by Bayfield volunteers at these drop-off locations will shine a light of hope to children living in poverty overseas," said Paul Fischbach, Southwest regional director for Operation Christmas Child. "Anyone is welcome to pack a shoebox and help a child facing difficult circumstances to feel loved and not forgotten."
Shoeboxes, or individual items to be packed in a box, can be dropped off at Calvary Presbyterian Church on the corner of Church and Mill streets in Bayfield. A $7 donation is requested for each box to help pay for shipping. A packing party will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12 at Calvary. Area youth are invited to help pack boxes, eat pizza and watch a movie. Also participating as collection sites are First United Methodist Church in Durango, Cross Road Christian Fellowship in Pagosa Springs and First Baptist Church in Cortez. Operation Christmas Child is operated by Samaritans Purse International Relief. More information, along with suggestions for donations and packing a shoebox, are online at www.samaritanspurse.org. Donations are also accepted online.
