Operation Christmas Child

Members of the First Baptist Church's Junior Church program who collected gifts to be sent overseas as part of Operation Christmas Child include, from left: Front--Olivia Sutherland, Kameron Jones, Ashlyn Mills and Evan Dooley. Second row--Colton Lindsey, Sarah Robinson and Renee Edwards. Third row--Kirk Beshears, Sophie Adams and Shelby Ward. Back--Barbi Terry, Carla Essman, Pam Forrest and Leigh Ann Jones. Not pictured are Macy Ward and Amy Ward.
(photo provided)

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Members of the Rector First Baptist Church's Junior Church Program recently took part in Operation Christmas Child, a benefit service through which the local youths gathered numerous items in order to fill shoe boxes sent to needy children in other countries.

"It's such a wonderful program," said Junior Church organizer Barbi Terry. "The kids really enjoy it because they want to help other children who don't have all the things we have."

Last year, the Rector group collected enough small toys, clothes and personal hygiene items to fill 55 shoeboxes.

"At that time, the kids decided they wanted to collect 75 shoeboxes this year," Terry said.

That's exactly what the 12 members of the group did. During late November's collection week, the first through sixth grade students in the program delivered their 75 shoeboxes to the First Baptist Church in Kennett. Each box contained not only a number of thoughtful toys and supplies, but also featured beautiful gift wrapping to further add to the holiday tradition of giving to others.

"You should help someone if you can," said Junior Church member Ashlyn Mills. "Some kids in other places don't have all the things we do."

Rector children who collected items for the program included Colton Lindsey, Sarah Robinson, Renee Edwards, Olivia Sutherland, Maycee Ward, Kameron Jones, Ashlyn Mills, Evan Dooley, Amy Ward, Kirk Beshears, Sophie Adams and Shelby Ward.

Adult volunteers in the Junior Church Program are Barbi Terry, Carla Essman, Pam Forrest and Leigh Ann Jones.

"I'm so proud of the kids for doing this," Terry said. "They're really a caring, compassionate group. They've been looking forward to this all year."

Terry and her students also want to give a special thanks to Dr. Bryan Blackshare for donating 50 toothbrushes and 50 tubes of toothpaste to the effort.

Operation Christmas Child has been operated by the international relief ministry organization Samaritan's Purse since 1993. Through Operation Christmas Child, Samaritan's Purse has delivered more than 46 million shoeboxes filled with toys, personal hygiene items, booklets, school supplies and other items not readily available locally to many of the recipients.

Those who want more information on Operation Christmas Child may visit the Samaritan's Purse website at www.samaritanspurse.com.