West Central La Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes will be collected during National Collection Week November 13-20. The team has a drop off location at Martin Baptist Church, 3181 Hwy 507. West Central La goal this year is 18,663 shoeboxes.

You can drop off during the following hours:
Mon, Nov. 13: 4:00 – 6:00pm
Tue, Nov. 14:   4:00 – 6:00pm
Wed, Nov. 15:  4:00 – 6:00pm
Thu, Nov. 16:   4:00 – 6:00pm
Fri, Nov. 17:     4:00 – 6:00pm
Sat, Nov. 18:    11:00am – 1:00pm
Sun, Nov. 19:   4:00 – 6:00pm
Mon, Nov. 20: 9:00 – 11:00am

The shoeboxes will be collected, packed in cartons, loaded in trailers and sent to Dallas Processing Center. At the processing center each shoebox will be opened and checked for inappropriate items such as liquids, candy, toothpaste, war items. These items will be removed and replaced with appropriate items that customs will allow.

The integrity of the shoebox is always in the packer’s forethought. The shoeboxes are then sorted according to sex and age (2-4, 5-9, and 10-14) and placed in cartons accordingly. The shoeboxes are sent to over 120 countries to children who have never received a gift. Each child hears the Gospel and receives a booklet “The Geatest Gift.” The child is invited to attend “The Greatest Journey.” For many children this is their first experience attending a school. Each child graduates and receives a Bible in their own language.

It is not too late to get a shoebox and pack!!

Contact Susan Longino, Drop Off Leader at Martin Baptist Church 318-663-4769.

---