Operation Christmas Child local drop off locations open

Drop-off locations have been set -for Operation Christmas Child ahead of the annual program’s national collection week, which kicked off Monday, Nov. 18 and continues through Nov. 25. The Bonners Ferry location is Mountain Springs Church. 6789 Main Street, P.O. Box 206, Bonners Ferry 

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering gift-filled shoeboxes to children around the world including many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster. Shoebox gifts, packed with fun toys, school supplies and personal care items, bring joy and hope to boys and girls who may have never received a gift of their own, organizers said. 

“Last year, the community of Bonners Ferry collected and sent over 500 shoe boxes,” said Stephanie Lewandowski, Boundary County coordinator for Operation Christmas Child. 

Shoebox packing is fun for individuals, families and groups, officials said. For those unsure what to include, a step-by-step guide can be found on the “How to Pack a Shoebox” webpage. For those who would prefer, there is an option to build a shoebox online.  

Mountain Springs Church will provide shoe boxes for those who need them, and Lewandowski is available to help with information that participants might need, such as how to pack a box or suggestions on what kind of gifts to put inside. She can be reached by phone at 208-255-6086 or by email slewandowski@idaho.church.   

Mountain Springs Church will be open for drop off on Nov. 18-23 from 1-4 p.m., Nov. 24 from 8 a.m.-noon and Nov. 25 from 9 a.m.-noon.  

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.