Operation Christmas Child going strong
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 4 months AGO
Photo courtesy Erica Auten Jessica Auten is Operation Christmas Child's North Idaho student coordinator.
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | November 7, 2022 1:06 AM
COEUR d'ALENE — Operation Christmas Child has set a North Idaho goal of collecting 22,000 shoeboxes filled with gifts for kids.
While that's more than last year's 14,000 the program received, organizers believe they'll get there.
Erica Auten, OCC North Idaho area coordinator, said National Collection Week is Nov. 14-21. That's when all the shoeboxes will be delivered by families, community groups and churches to the drop-off center at Anthem Church in Hayden.
Most of the boxes will be shipped overseas, with some staying in the U.S.
In the past eight years, North Idaho has collected nearly 75,000 shoeboxes for OCC, with volunteers helping year-round.
Calvary Chapel Lighthouse on Lancaster packed 1,700 boxes last year, and this year is closing in on its goal of 2,500.
"The sight of nearly 2,200 packed shoeboxes, lining the walls of their sanctuary, is truly a beautiful sight," wrote Jerryne King, a year-round volunteer for OCC. "Every shoebox gift represents a child who will hear the Good News of Jesus Christ when they receive their gift."
Jessica Auten, a sophomore at Coeur d'Alene High School, is OCC's first student coordinator. She's looking for students and school clubs to pack shoeboxes and help reach the goal of 600 shoeboxes.
Since 1993, about 200 million children ages 2-14 in more than 170 countries and territories have received OCC shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies, hygiene items and a gospel message.
“One shoebox has an amazing impact,” Auten told The Press.
There's still time to receive a shoebox, fill it and return it. Swing by Anthem Church to get one or call Auten at 208-818-1618.
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