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Hundreds Of Shoeboxes Deliver Joy And Hope
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Aynsleigh Pearson, one of the younger congregation members of The River Christian Community Church, readies her festive holiday shoebox donation for shipping to the Samaritan’s Purse International Relief event. Photo Contributed

For the sixth consecutive year, The River Christian Community Church has participated in the Samaritan’s Purse International Relief holiday event called Operation Christmas Child where shoeboxes are packed with gifts and delivered around the world. The shoeboxes are filled with quality toys, educational materials, small toiletries, age appropriate items and often a personal note. Donors can choose to add a $9 donation to cover the cost of shipping.

Also, each box is equipped with a QR code so those donating the boxes can track where in the world their shoebox lands.

National Collection Week ran from Monday, Nov. 16 through Monday, Nov. 23 and officials at The River were busy getting the final donations prepared for the next leg on their journey on Nov. 23, leaving from the East G Street location. More than 600 boxes were dropped off during the week, some from The River congregation, many from other churches in the area and some from residents as well.

From here, they typically go first to Manteca and then head to Southern California, where they are then dispersed around the world.

Offered through Samaritan’s Purse, the Shoebox effort helps bring some holiday joy to youngsters in over 150 countries. Those packing the shoeboxes could pick the age and gender of the child they wanted to provide a shoebox for and, this year, there was also an option to build a shoebox online.

For more information, visit www.samaritanspurses.org/operation-Christmas-child.

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The River Christian Community Church, serving as the drop off site, managed to collect 613 boxes this year as they readied their Operation Christmas Child contribution for shipping Monday, Nov. 23. Photo Contributed