Immanuel Lutheran Hosts Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Packing Event on November 7, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

On November 7, Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Palatine will be hosting a “Shoebox Packing Party” that is open to the entire community. Volunteers will fill plastic shoeboxes with donated items – some fun, some practical, some both – and prepare those boxes to be sent around the world. The shoeboxes are part of Operation Christmas Child, a project that brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations worldwide through gift-filled shoe boxes. These shoeboxes are filled with presents such as toys, school supplies, toothbrushes, combs, personal letters, and a variety of other small-sized gifts. For many children, their shoebox is the first gift they’ll ever receive. The presents and personal letters inside communicate that someone cares for them and gives them an opportunity to experience the love of God.

“Yes – the entire community is invited to participate in the November 7th Packing Event,” says Trephina Bedell, Children’s Ministries Coordinator at Immanuel. “It will be a meaningful event for all involved. My family has been involved in Operation Christmas Child for four years and we have no plans to stop. I’ve been asked what’s most needed. I would definitely say the plastic shoeboxes themselves and also the “wow gift.” Each shoe box will contain one “wow gift.” The wow gift is not something that’s a “need” – it’s a wish or a want. It’s a special item like Legos, a deflated soccer ball and air pump, a backpack, a game, a toy car, a wallet, a purse, or a doll. You’d be surprised what fits in a shoe box.”

Another way to participate in the project is to donate something to include in the shoeboxes – crayons, little notebooks, small toys and more. Items must be new. For a complete list of accepted items, please visit www.immanuelpalatine.org/operation-christmas-child. Donations may be dropped off at Immanuel prior to November 2.

The November 7th shoebox event will be held at Immanuel, located at 200 North Plum Grove Road, Palatine, IL 60067. For more information, please contact Trephina Bedell at 847-359-1549/tbedell@ilcp.org. Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, a fixture in the Palatine community for nearly 150 years, offers a variety of programs and services to the people of Palatine, as well as weekly worship services. More information on Operation Christmas Child may be found at www.samaritanspurse.org.