Operation Christmas Child, a Samaritan’s Purse Christian ministry that caters to needy children in countries all around the world, is a project that has been going on in Clinton County through Albany First Baptist Church for seven years now.

Kathy Conner, who has been volunteering and organizing the shoebox collection drive locally, said the first year 30 shoeboxes filled with toys, hygiene items and other products sent to children in some 126 countries were donated. Since that time, however, the project locally has come a long way. In 2014, a record 1,665 shoebox gift packages were donated. That is almost double from last year’s amount of 864 donations.

Through the project, shoeboxes filled with children’s items are donated and shipped each fall to children throughout the world and this year, Kentucky’s donations will be aimed for one of several smaller countries including, but not limited to, Columbia, Barbados, Grenada, Georgia (in eastern Europe, formerly of the Soviet Union block of nations), and in African countries such as the Sudan, Mali, Ethiopia, Niger and in some island nations in the Indian Ocean. But, it isn’t known which specific country that will benefit from the collections here in Clinton County, Conner noted.

Albany First Baptist is now a collection point for shoebox donations. The shoeboxes were taken to Somerset and will be shipped by a trucking company from Kentucky to a distribution company in Boone, North Carolina where it will be put on cargo containers and eventually shipped to its final destination.

According to Kathy Conner’s husband, Paul, the shipments of shoebox donations could get to its final destination within “weeks or months” depending on foreign government regulations. “Some (countries) may receive shipment immediately and others may take six months,” he said, noting that was why there were limits on certain items that could or could not be donated.

The project benefits children from age two to 14 and persons fill shoeboxes with a variety of items such as small toys, stuffed animals, school supplies such as pencils, notebooks, crayons and coloring books and hygiene items like toothbrushes, bar soap, combs and other accessories like socks, hats, hair bands, t-shirts and sunglasses.

Persons donating to Christmas Operation Child also have the opportunity to send a photo of themselves or their family and a personal note with their address and possibly be able to correspond with the child who receives the package.

Persons who donate to the project are also asked to supply $7 and a shipping label to cover international shipping and related costs.

Conner estimated that about 25 churches of all denominations took part in collecting shoebox packages, plus many individuals who collected for the drive on their own. They noted that one woman from Lexington had brought some 193 boxes she had worked to collect for the project. Also, a student group (which volunteered as a class service project) took part in the Operation Christmas Child program this year.

Both Paul and Kathy Conner noted they were a bit overwhelmed by not only exceeding last year’s total but by nearly doubling it. Their goal, they said, had been 1,200 boxes and next year’s goal would be a somewhat lofty 2,000 boxes.

Everyone who collected boxes took them to the First Baptist Church during collection week held November 17 through 24, and about 50 volunteers helped band together and load the items onto the trucks that went to Somerset. “We had 50 volunteers and 100.5 hours of volunteer time during that week,” Kathy Conner said. They also noted the shoeboxes were going to go to the distribution center in Atlanta, Georgia on December 13.

Kathy Conner was well pleased with the record-setting success of the project this year, but also added she would like to see more groups and civic organizations get involved in Operation Christmas Child. She said they can collect boxes literally year-round, but begin initial planning about May of each year and have an actual kick-off meeting in September.

Conner also noted that records of all boxes collected have to be kept and all collections have to be accounted for through the program. Samaritan’s Purse, it was noted, is part of Franklin Graham’s ministry. He is the son of the well-known Rev. Billy Graham.

Paul Conner also said that ABF Trucking Company, which hauls the items from Kentucky to the primary distribution centers, volunteers itstime and trucks for the project.

Kathy Conner also added the program had “a lot of great volunteers” and thanked everyone, including churches, individuals and the vocational school group for their donations that will put a smile on the face and warm the hearts of at least 1,665 children somewhere in the world.

Finally, Conner gave the following information that just about sums up the Operation Christmas Child project:

“Something as ordinary as a shoebox can accomplish the eternal when it is packed with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and God’s love. Powered by prayers, it can help lead children and families to faith in Christ, inspire pastors, plant and grow churches, and encourage disciples in some of the most unreached places in the world.

“It all starts when people decide to bless a child overseas through Operation Christmas Child. a Samaritan’s Purse project designed to deliver good news and great joy to boys and girls around the world.

“Individuals and families decide whether they will pack a shoebox for a boy or girl and then look for gifts appropriate for a specific age range. Prayerful shoppers search for items to delight a child; a toy car or a jump rope, a slinky or a doll. They look for practical things like pencils and paper, and necessary items such as a toothbrush or toothpaste.

“Whether toys, school supplies, or hygiene items, the giver seeks to pack their shoebox with as much fun and blessing as it will hold.

“Before closing the lid, the giver can include a note for the recipient, often complete with a photograph. The person who packed the gift then pauses to ask God to deliver the shoebox to just the right child–the child for whom the things inside would be especially meaningful or even be an answer to a prayer.

“After being taken to a local drop-off site, the shoeboxes are then delivered to regional processing centers where volunteers prepare them for their trip overseas.

“Hundreds of thousands of miles later, the boxes clear customs, entering the care of Samaritan’s Purse ministry partners which plans distribution events at churches and other locations.

“These distributions often begin with music or puppets and include a presentation of the gospel that a child can understand. Then the big moment comes. Each child receives a shoebox of joy after a countdown and they all open their gifts at the same time. Squeals of delight and sounds of joy fill the meeting area.”

What begins in the heart of someone who cares can change eternity for a child and a family. The process happens millions of times over. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered more than 113 million shoeboxes in over 150 countries.

For more information on the local Operation Christmas Child program, contact Conner, or for more information on the program nation/worldwide or about Samaritan’s Purse, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ, or call 1-800-353-5949.

Lilly Hickman and Tori Bagwell assist in loading the truck during the recent Operation Christmas Child program. This year, 1,665 shoebox gift packages were donated locally to the outreach ministry project.