To the editor:

Despite a global pandemic, Jackson County residents shared the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season.

Generosity throughout southeastern Indiana resulted in 11,488 shoebox gifts collected at curbside drop-off locations for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child. Across the United States, the project collected more than 7.8 million such gifts in 2020. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2020, the ministry is now sending more than 8.9 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide.

Through shoeboxes — packed with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items — Jackson County volunteers brought joy to more than 1,400 children in need around the world. Each gift-filled shoebox is a tangible expression of God’s love, and it is often the first gift these children have ever received. Through the continued generosity of donors since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 186 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.

Across southeastern Indiana, shoebox packers shop for shoebox gift deals year-round, and many serve at a deeper level. Information about ways Jackson County participants can get involved year-round can also be found at samaritanspurse.org/occ or by calling our area coordinator, Lisa Hoog, at 812-212-6979.

Although local drop‑off locations for gifts are closed until Nov. 15 through 22, 2021, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks at samaritanspurse.org/buildonline.

These simple gifts, packed with love, send a message to children worldwide that they are loved and not forgotten.

Sincerely, Janet Kratochvil, Lawrenceburg

Media Support Team Member, SE Indiana

Operation Christmas Child