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Operation Christmas child returns for another year of lifting spirits
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Nevaeh Mietling helps with packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

Operation Christmas Child has kicked off its 2021 campaign in Warren County with a goal of 4,400 shoeboxes.

“In 2020, the churches and community packed 3,630 boxes along with over 50 boxes that were packed online,” said Debbie Patterson, shoebox ministry coordinator for Warren County. “This year’s goal is 4,400. I’m encouraging everyone to pack at least one more box than they did last year to help meet this goal.”

National collection week is Nov. 15-22, with a curbside option available.

Patterson says local churches, community groups, and individuals have already started packing shoeboxes. McMinnville’s First Baptist Church, for example, has packed 230 with a goal of 500. Freedom Life Church has packed 192 boxes so far.

Warren County Middle School’s Interact club is participating again this year. 

Suggested items for the shoeboxes include personal care items such as comb, hairbrush, toothbrush, washcloth; clothing and accessories such as shirts and pants, underwear, shoes and socks, flip-flops, hat, scarf, mittens, sunglasses, tote bag/ purse, hair bows; school supplies such as pencils, manual pencil sharpener, colored pencils, pencil cases, crayons, markers, pens, coloring pads, coloring books, picture book, notepads; and a “wow” item such as a doll, stuffed animal, or small musical instrument.  

For more information about the program, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ. 

Items and monetary donations can be dropped off at First Baptist Church or Covenant Fellowship. Empty shoeboxes are needed too. They can be cardboard or plastic and dropped off at First Baptist or Covenant.


Drop off locations and times:


First Baptist Church,

403 N. Spring Street

Monday, Nov. 15: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Tuesday, Nov. 16: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Wednesday, Nov. 17: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 18: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Friday, Nov. 19: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Saturday, Nov. 20: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Sunday, Nov. 21: 12 to 3 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 22: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. 


Covenant Fellowship, 7225 Manchester Highway

Monday, Nov. 15:  7 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Tuesday, Nov. 16: 12 to 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 17: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Thursday, Nov. 18: 12 to 7 p.m. 

Friday, Nov. 19: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 20: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  

Sunday, Nov. 21:  2 to 4 p.m. 

Monday, Nov. 22: 8 to 10 a.m.