Rhonda Griffin, Journal Editor

ELIZABETHTOWN — With Christmas quickly approaching, local volunteers are working to get the final donations for Operation Christmas Child ready to be shipped overseas.

The program, which is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, is an annual event to help needy children. Donated items, which include necessity items and small gifts, are packed into shoe boxes and shipped to children in less-fortunate countries. Contributions include small toys, personal items, school supplies and a Bible story book for each gift box.

Volunteers have been working for several months to collect items to be shipped, and the final week for this year’s program is Nov. 17 through Nov. 23. The Operation Christmas Child Relay Center, which serves as the drop-off point for local donations, is located at Fellowship Bible Church.

Pat Warwick, the coordinator for the local relay center, said volunteers have been reaching out to get the entire community involved this year.

“The churches are the backbone, but others are encouraged to participate too,” she said. “Our vision is for this to be a countywide event, not just churches.”

Each shoe box is packed for one girl or boy in one certain age group. However, each gift could touch the lives of the whole family and reach out into the youngster’s community as well.

“When you pack a box, you become a missionary. That’s something we wouldn’t ordinarily have the opportunity to do,” Warwick said. “Each of these people who receive these gifts could find their salvation.”

Monetary donations and contributed items are still being collected in Bladen County. The relay center at Fellowship Bible Church, which is left on Alexander Street from Hwy. 87 S., near the airport, will collect donations through Sunday, Nov. 23.

Relay center hours will be:

• Monday, Nov. 17 through Friday, Nov. 21 — 4 to 7 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 22 — 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

• Sunday, Nov. 23 — 2 to 6 p.m.

Though the last collection day in Bladen County will be Nov. 23, shoe box gifts may still be mailed to Samaritan’s Purse at 801 Bamboo Road, Boone, NC 28607.

For more information about Operation Christmas Child or how you can help, contact Warwick at 645-4596 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org.