Baltimore businesses and families are joining a worldwide effort to bring a bit of holiday cheer to the less privileged in the world through Operation Christmas Child.
The program, operated at part of the international relief organization Samaritan?s Purse, collects needed school supplies, personal hygiene products, and ? of course ? toys that are packed into shoe boxes and shipped around the globe.
“It keeps growing and growing,” said Kamela Robinson, regional director for Operation Christmas Child. “Most people say ?wow? when we tell them it?s something so simple that can make such a huge difference.”
A group of elementary and middle school students from Baltimore area schools will gather at Grace Fellowship Church in Timonium to pack shoe boxes that will be shipped out before the holiday season.
The year-round operation draws on volunteers from local businesses, churches and organizations to help collect needed items, pack shoe boxes and pay for shipping.
“It doesn?t take much time, and it?s a great way to help a lot of kids around the world,” said Jeff Mauler, a manager at Taylor Technologies Inc. in Sparks, where he and co-workers recently packed about a thousand shoe boxes.
Lea Hartman, volunteer coordinator for Operation Christmas Child at Grace Fellowship Church, said each box costs about $7 to ship, with boxes going to about 95 countries around the world.
More information
» For information on donating, visit www.samaritan.org or call 800-479-4654.
