The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON - Collection week for Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes is Nov. 17 - 24. Twenty-one years ago David C. Cook decided to pack simple gifts in a shoebox for child victims of the Bosnian war. To date, over 100 million shoeboxes have been given to needy children around the world. Operated through Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child is the world's largest Christmas project of its kind. Dayton-Waitsburg Prescott area donors gave 295 shoeboxes last year - over a hundred more than the year prior.

To participate, decide if you would like to provide a box for a boy or girl, then fill a shoebox with items such as stuffed animals, school supplies or hygiene items. Do not include anything war-related, chocolate, breakable or that can leak and include $7 for shipping. Wrap the box and lid separately and secure them with a rubber band.

Boxes may be delivered to Community Bible Church (203 S. 2nd in Dayton) during the following times. Nov. 17, 8a.m. - 4 p.m; Nov. 18, 2-6 p.m., Nov. 20, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m .; Nov. 21, 9-11 a.m. and 2-6 p.m. Lael Loyd is the area coordinator and may be reached at (509) 382-2392 or (509) 386-8976. To learn more about the program visit www.samaritanspurse.org