MONROE - About 30 people came out to Hope Evangelical Free Church in Monroe Nov. 12 to help fill shoebox packages for Operation Christmas Child.
The group sent over 215 packages to the Davis, Illinois Evangelical Church. Later, the items will be sent to a distribution center in Minnesota before being distributed to children around the world.
"Boxes last year went to Africa, Tanzania and North America," Marge Goldeman, one of the Monroe organizers said.
Operation Christmas Child is operated by Samaritan's Purse International Relief, a faith-based charity organization based out of North Carolina.
The shoeboxes are filled with toys, books and other items.
"The purpose is to bring a ray of hope," Goldeman said of the children who will receive them.
Volunteer Terry Pulver said she gets tipped off from friends and acquaintances that work at places like Wal-Mart when a clearance sale is about to take place. Many of the items are purchased for donation during such sales.
"We never know what we'll come up with," Hope EFC pastor Rick Haworth said.
The group sent over 215 packages to the Davis, Illinois Evangelical Church. Later, the items will be sent to a distribution center in Minnesota before being distributed to children around the world.
"Boxes last year went to Africa, Tanzania and North America," Marge Goldeman, one of the Monroe organizers said.
Operation Christmas Child is operated by Samaritan's Purse International Relief, a faith-based charity organization based out of North Carolina.
The shoeboxes are filled with toys, books and other items.
"The purpose is to bring a ray of hope," Goldeman said of the children who will receive them.
Volunteer Terry Pulver said she gets tipped off from friends and acquaintances that work at places like Wal-Mart when a clearance sale is about to take place. Many of the items are purchased for donation during such sales.
"We never know what we'll come up with," Hope EFC pastor Rick Haworth said.