Christmas shoebox packing party 

A packing party was held at Oak Grove Community Church in support of Operation Christmas Child. 
 

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts - filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys - to children worldwide for three decades. Since 1990, the project has collected and delivered more than 200 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories. Mark and Debra Watkins, are Church and Community Relations team members with Operation Christmas Child.

Oak Grove Community Church meets at Catton Grove Primary School on Sundays and also has a Chapel, office and charity shop on Catton Grove Road. Becca is the project leader for organising and planning the filling of shoeboxes for children and young people all across the world. The church has been supporting this ministry for many years and as a church they collect items all year round. They plan a Sunday service ‘packing party’ each year, when they launch this ministry. This is when as a church they put on food and drinks and invite both church members and people from their local community to come in and have fun and fellowship, whilst packing shoeboxes.

Mark Watkins from Operation Christmas Child said, “What a joy to see this church in action, those attending from young to mature age, all able to participate and fill shoeboxes with gifts and messages of love, to send to some of the most displaced and hurting children across the world. At the same time, it was evident to see this church seeks to support those in the local community, it was great to see children filling shoeboxes and learning the gift of helping others.”

Oak Grove Community Church, is a Church Collection Centre. Filled shoeboxes can be dropped  the week of the 10-17 November. www.oakgrovecommunitychurch.co.uk
 
Those interested in more information on Operation Christmas Child for your church, school, group or business can contact Mark and Debra Watkins at markdebrawatkinsocc@yahoo.com 
 
Visit: www.samaritans-purse.org.uk

Pictured above: Mark and Debra with Becca