Free Fall Family Event - Operation Christmas Child Kick-Off Carnival with games, crafts, food and more!

CANYON CREEK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SAN RAMON
HOSTS OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD KICK-OFF EVENT
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2015

FORMER SHOEBOX RECIPIENT SHARES IMPACT OF SIMPLE GIFT
East Bay Families Invited to Join Global effort to send Christmas Gifts to
10 Million Needy Children

As a young girl born in Russia, Elena Hagemeier grew up in a home that was dirty and cold. Her mother and father struggled with alcohol addiction and left Elena and her sister with little food and soiled beds to sleep on. Neither girl attended school. When Elena was eight, she and her sister were placed in an international orphanage and while there, participated in a special shoebox gift distribution. It was Elena’s first time receiving a gift that was wrapped, and it made a huge impact on her life. The gift was just the beginning of Elena’s story and understanding of how a box filled with gifts could change the course of her life. In 2004, Elena and her sister were adopted by an American family. She now attends Ozark Christian College and hopes to be a missionary in Asia one day. She also travels around the world telling her story about the hope that came to her in a simple shoebox gift.

Elena will be sharing her story of love and hope with people from Contra Costa and Alameda counties when she speaks on Sunday, October 11 at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in San Ramon at the 9:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. services. Elena’s full circle testimony will be followed by an afternoon kick-off Carnival Event from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the church’s parking lot. Local kids, families and volunteers will kick off the upcoming collection season for gift-filled shoeboxes through Operation Christmas Child. Guests will have an opportunity to pack a shoebox, play carnival games, enjoy a variety of craft and food booths and more!

During National Collection Week (November 16-23), Contra Costa and Alameda County residents can drop off shoeboxes packed with toys, school supplies and hygiene items at Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church in San Ramon. San Ramon will be the first stop on a journey across the world for thousands of gifts packed by local residents. The boxes are then prepared and delivered to hurting children overseas using whatever means necessary – boats, airplanes, trains and even elephants.

What: Operation Christmas Child Kick-off Carnival Event
When: Sunday, October 11 – Former shoebox recipient, Elena Hagemeier speaking at 9:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. services. Kick-off Carnival Event from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, 9015 S. Gale Ridge Road, San Ramon, CA 94582
Cost: Free

CONTACT: Emily Lamm
Cell# (650) 464-8961
cnelamm@sbcglobal.net