CREEDE—On Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 6 p.m. volunteers will pack 500 boxes for Operation Christmas Child at the Creede Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Please bring light snacks and finger foods to share together, and afterwards assembly lines will be used to fill the boxes. Everything will be organized and ready to pack—all that is needed are volunteers.
Operation Christmas Child is a worldwide children’s project of Samaritan’s Purse that uses simple gift-filled shoe boxes containing school supplies, necessity items, clothing, books, toys and a message of encouragement to reach hurting children all over the world. Many of the children who receive the OCC shoe box gifts are victims of poverty, natural disaster, war, terrorism and famine. For many of these boys and girls, it is the first gift they have ever received. Through the power of a simple gift and the message of hope through Jesus Christ in their native languages, these children learn that they are loved and not forgotten. Since the project began, over 146 million shoebox gifts have been collected and delivered to children in more than 150 countries around the world.
For more information on the Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.  
Creede Baptist Church is in its 15th year participating in Operation Christmas Child. The church has made this special project an annual Creede community event. Designated items are collected each month and monetary donations are accepted throughout the year to purchase additional bulk items needed for the boxes.
Creede Baptist Church is in its sixth year serving as the drop-off and collection center for Operation Christmas Child boxes for the entire San Luis Valley. The National Operation Christmas Child Collection Week is Nov. 13-20. Please bring any filled OCC boxes by the church during this week. The hours of operation can be found by going to the Samaritans Purse website. If you have any questions or would be willing to help man the station for an hour or two, please contact Operation Christmas Child Drop Off Center Coordinator Diana Kelly at 719-480-3034.