‘Operation Christmas Child’ Seeks Donations in Tri-Cities
What is Operation Christmas Child?
The Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child collects shoebox gifts—filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items—and delivers them to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way. For many of these children, the gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.
In 2017, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 12 million children in countries like Peru, the Philippines, Rwanda and Ukraine. Nearly 11.5 million shoebox gifts were collected worldwide in 2016, with more than 9.1 million collected in the U.S.
Anyone can pack a shoebox. Individuals, families, churches and groups fill empty shoeboxes with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys, such as dolls or soccer balls.
During National Collection Week (Nov. 13 – 20), Samaritan’s Purse will collect the gift-filled shoeboxes at nearly 5,000 drop-off locations in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Learn how to pack a shoebox, view gift suggestions, get your Follow Your Box label and find the nearest drop-off location at samaritanspurse.org/occ.
Do Not Include candy; toothpaste; used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; seeds; chocolate or food; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items, such as snow globes or glass containers; or aerosol cans.
Participants can donate $9 per shoebox gift online through Follow Your Box and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.
2017 Drop Off Locations
Greater TriCities Area
Bethel Church (Central Drop Off Location)
600 Shockley Rd, Richland
Gill Keith ‐ 509‐366‐0884
11/13 Monday 10am ‐ 7pm
11/14 Tuesday 10am ‐ 7pm
11/15 Wednesday 10am ‐ 7pm
11/16 Thursday 10am ‐ 7pm
11/17 Friday 10am ‐ 7pm
11/19 Sunday 10am ‐ 7pm
11/20 Monday 10am ‐ 7pm
South Hills Church
3700 W 27th Ave., Kennewick
Juanita Wright, 509‐378‐5558
11/13 Monday 10am ‐ 1pm
11/14 Tuesday 5pm ‐ 7pm
11/15 Wednesday 10:30am ‐ 1pm
11/16 Thursday 10:30am ‐ 1pm
11/17 Friday 12pm ‐ 2pm
11/18 Saturday 10am ‐ 12pm
11/19 Sunday 1pm ‐ 3pm 1
11/20 Monday 9am ‐ 12pm
Bethel Church ‐ Prosser
270 N Gap Rd., Prosser
Elle Still, 509‐391‐0123
11/13 Monday 4pm ‐ 6pm
11/14 Tuesday 4pm ‐ 6pm
11/15 Wednesday 4pm ‐ 6pm
11/16 Thursday 4pm ‐ 6pm
11/17 Friday 4pm ‐ 6pm
11/18 Saturday 2pm ‐ 5pm
11/19 Sunday 2pm ‐ 5pm
11/20 Monday 2pm ‐ 5pm