{"id":56163,"date":"2015-11-17T11:17:58","date_gmt":"2015-11-17T16:17:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.samaritanspurse.org\/?p=56163"},"modified":"2016-10-24T14:51:23","modified_gmt":"2016-10-24T18:51:23","slug":"this-week-u-s-residents-give-thanks-by-packing-gifts-of-hope-for-children-living-in-poverty-overseas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/samaritanspurse.org\/es\/operation-christmas-child\/this-week-u-s-residents-give-thanks-by-packing-gifts-of-hope-for-children-living-in-poverty-overseas\/","title":{"rendered":"This Week: U.S. Residents Give Thanks By Packing Gifts of Hope for Children Living In Poverty Overseas"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nov. 16 \u2013 23: National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts<\/em><\/h4>\r\n
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BOONE, N.C., Nov. 16, 2015<\/strong> \u2014 U.S. families, churches and groups are not waiting until Thanksgiving Day to express gratitude. Instead, this week they are giving back by lovingly packing gifts of joy for children around the world living in extreme poverty or affected by war, disease and natural disaster. For many of these children, it will be the first gift they have ever received.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

Nov. 16 \u2013 23, U.S. residents will pack shoebox gifts filled with a \u201cWow\u201d item\u2014like a doll or soccer ball\u2014and other fun toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement. Operation Christmas Child, a project of the international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan's Purse, will deliver the gifts to children in need overseas.<\/p>\r\n\r\n

\u201cWe have so much to be thankful for here in America. Most of us have a roof over our heads, beds with pillows to sleep on, and food on our table. But for many children living overseas, tough living conditions and extreme poverty have left them with little hope,\u201d said Operation Christmas Child Domestic Director Randy Riddle. \u201cIt is amazing to see the joy on children\u2019s faces when they receive these gifts. It can be a tangible reminder that they are loved and not forgotten, despite their difficult circumstances.\u201d<\/em><\/p> \r\n\r\n

After being dropped off at one of more than 4,000 collection sites across the United States, these boxes will make the long journey overseas, traveling by any means necessary\u2014boat, plane, train and even elephant\u2014until they reach the hands of children in need. In 2015, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach more than 11 million children. Since 1993, the project has delivered shoebox gifts to more than 124 million children in over 150 countries and territories.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s not too late to get involved, and anyone can participate in this life-changing project for children around the world. Although this week is National Collection Week, shoebox gifts are collected year-round at the Samaritan\u2019s Purse headquarters in Boone, North Carolina.<\/p>\r\n\r\n