Highland United Methodist Church Joins Operation Christmas Child to Bring Joy to Homeless Children Around the World

Local Church Joins Operation Christmas Child to Bring Joy to Homeless Children Around the World

The power of a simple gift…a shoe box packed with love, small toys, school supplies, hygiene items, t-shirts, socks, sunglasses and more

 

Highland, MI – Highland United Methodist Church (HUMC) is a servicing center for an international program designed to bring joy to countless homeless children around the world. Operation Christmas Child is one of the projects by Samaritan's Purse that has reached over 100 million children.

The project involves collecting shoe boxes packed with gifts for less fortunate children around the world. Each gift includes a note written in their language that expresses Jesus Christ's message that they are loved and cared for. Donors can get a special tag on the internet which can be used to track their gift to find out where their shoe box gift was delivered. They can even enclose their name and address so the child receiving their gift can write back.

HUMC is offering an opportunity to everyone in their community to experience the joy of giving by providing a gift for a child. Simply fill a standard size shoe box or small plastic container, wrap the box (lid separately), secure with a large rubber band and drop it off at the church. Suggested gifts include:

• School supplies – pens, pencils, crayons, markers, coloring pages, note pads
• Toys – small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, yo-yos, jump ropes, etc…(please include batteries if required)
• Hygiene items – toothbrush, toothpaste, bar soap, brush & comb
• Other – hard candy, mints, gum, t-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, flashlights (with extra batteries)
• Personal note – and photo with name and address so the child can write back
• Donation of $7.00 or more to cover shipping and project costs

HUMC has been involved with this cause for over 6 years and their goal is to help southeast Michigan collect 51,000 shoe boxes for children. Education Director, Sue Cole said, "I pray people will take this opportunity to donate and help the gospel make a difference in the lives of kids."

HUMC members and staff are eagerly looking forward to Kick off Sunday, November 11, 2012, where they will have a special service of worship and celebration in their Family Life Center. Anyone who is interested in being part of this program can drop off their wrapped shoe box filled with gifts during collection week, November 12 – 19. Visit the HUMC http://www.myhumc.com site, and click the Operation Christmas Child logo for collection hours and location with detailed instructions for packing a shoe box.

About HUMC: Highland United Methodist Church is a purpose driven church who puts their trust in Jesus Christ, seeking Him daily and striving to be more like Him every day. HUMC exists to celebrate God's presence and worship in a way to express love to God; to communicate God's Word and share the good news of Jesus; to educate God's people with a variety of classes for spiritual growth; to demonstrate God's Love…HUMC exists on purpose!

About Samaritan's Purse: Samaritan's Purse is a nondenominational evangelical Christian organization providing spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world. They have helped meet the needs people who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease and famine with the purpose of sharing God's love. Operation Christmas Child is just one of their projects that have reached over 100 Million children around the world.

Contact:

Sue Cole
Highland United Methodist Church
680W. Livingston Road
Highland, MI 48357
Tel: 248-887-1311