A lifetime resident of Seymour recently became a year-round volunteer for Operation Christmas Child in the Southeast Indiana District.

Richard Rieckers said in a news release from the organization that he is volunteering for this project of Samaritan’s Purse to help spread the gospel and to assist underprivileged children.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 135 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 150 countries and territories. The shoeboxes provide aid to children who are victims of war, disease, disaster, famine and persecution.

The shoeboxes are filled with school supplies, hygiene items, such as soap, washcloths and toothbrushes, and simple toys.

Each child that receives a shoebox is offered the opportunity to take a 12-lesson program to learn about the love of Jesus.

During National Collection Week, Nov. 13 through 20, community drop-off locations in Seymour will be open to accept shoeboxes. To learn more about how to pack a shoebox, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Rieckers said he had learned about volunteering for Operation Christmas Child through an email sent out by Samaritan’s Purse.

That letter identified six different teams available for volunteers — church relations, community relations, student, prayer, media and logistics.

Rieckers has chosen to join the church relations team and will be contacting local churches to provide information on the program and to offer support. He can be reached by email at [email protected].

When Rieckers was asked about what he was looking forward to in this ministry, he said it was to increase the number of shoeboxes donated from his county. Last year, Jackson County donated 1,147 shoeboxes.

To learn about volunteer opportunities with Operation Christmas Child, visit samaritanspurse.org/volunteerwithocc.