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Despite a global pandemic, residents of Winchester, Kentucky shared the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season.

Generosity throughout Boonesboro Area Team of Kentucky resulted in 9,934 shoe box gifts collected at curbside drop-off locations for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child. Of that total, 1,426 were collected in Winchester and Clark County. Across the U.S., the project collected more than 7.8 million such gifts in 2020. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2020, the ministry is now sending more than 8.9 million shoe box gifts to children worldwide.

Through shoe boxes packed with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items Winchester volunteers brought joy to children in need around the world. Each gift-filled shoe box is a tangible expression of God’s love, and it is often the first gift these children have ever received. Through the continued generosity of donors since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 186 million gift-filled shoe boxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.

Across Boonesboro Area Team, shoe box packers shop for shoe box gift deals year round, and many serve at a deeper level. Information about ways Winchester participants can get involved year round can also be found at samaritanspurse.org/occ or by calling Sharon Brush at 859-227-6418.

Although local drop-off locations for gifts are closed until Nov. 15–22, 2021, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoe box gift online in just a few simple clicks at samaritanspurse.org/buildonline.

These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message to children worldwide that they are loved and not forgotten.

Sharon Brush

Church Relations Team Member

Operation Christmas Child

Winchester, KY

859-227-6418

samaritanspurse.org/occnewsroom