Project ships special shoeboxes
for children in troubled countries

Millions of children worldwide who are affected by war, poverty, disease, and disaster receive aid through Operation Christmas Child, a mission project of Samaritan's Purse, the Christian relief organization. Anyone can participate by bringing a gift-filled shoebox to the Spencerport United Methodist Church, 32 Amity Street, Sundays from 9 a.m. to noon during October and November. Boxes will be sent the week of November 18.

Directions for filling a box are:

• Find an empty shoebox
• Decide whether the gift will be for a boy or girl
  and select an age category: 2-4, 5-9, 10-14.
• Fill the shoebox with small gifts (toys, school supplies, hygiene items, ect.) Do not include the following: used items, war-related toys (such as guns or knives), perishable food items, liquids of any kind, medicines of any kind, or breakable items (such as mirrors, china dolls, or snow globes).
• On top of the items in the box, place an envelope with $5 or more to help cover shipping and other costs. (Checks made out to Samaritan's Purse are recommended.) Put a rubber band around the box and lid.
• Bring it to the Spencerport United Methodist Church.

Since 1993 Operation Christmas Child has delivered shoeboxes to 13 million children. Visit www.samaritanspurse.org for information about filling a shoebox and touching the life of a needy child. Shoeboxes are shipped to such troubled countries as Afghanistan, El Salvador and India.