Operation Christmas Child

Kimball residents are invited to participate in the national collection week for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts, Nov. 16 – 23.

To participate, fill a shoebox with a special, age-appropriate item for a needy child – a doll or soccer ball, add other fun toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement.

“There is a ‘what not to add’ list per country. They need hygiene items, non-violent or non-military toys, shoes, hats, mittens, and school supplies are all good ideas,” said local coordinator Lori Widener. “Time and time again we get feedback that children could not attend school because their parents could not provide supplies, so that is a pretty cool thing to add.”

Shoe boxes can be picked up at the Kimball Evangelical Free Church in Kimball according to Widener, who is organizing the event for a second year, though the local church has been participating for more than five years.

“We not only have shoe boxes here, we also have shipping labels,” Widener said. “Boxes should not be wrapped, or even taped. Just close the box with a rubber band. At the national collection center each box is inspected to ensure that all items will pass customs.”

The gift boxes will travel to foreign countries, but Widener added that they will not know where the gifts go until they are gone.

“You can always track your own box if you pay shipping online, print out a label and track box the whole way,” she said.

Filled shoe boxes can be taken to the Kimball Evangelical Free Church from noon to 2 p.m., throughout the week.

“It grows every year. Last year we had 169 boxes, we are well over 200 this year and we aren’t done yet!” she said. “The children don’t just get the gift box, they are given a 12 week course that walks them through the Bible. It is changing lives. The program serves two purposes, it blesses them with things they need but it goes way beyond that.”

Visit http://www.samaritanspurse.orgs/occ or call 816-622-8316 for more information.