Operation Christmas Child will hold a Shoe Box Packing Party for middle and upper school youth Saturday, Nov. 3 10 a.m. – noon in the Fuqua Lower School Commons, Farmville.

Operation Christmas Child, the world's largest Christmas project, reaches out to underprivileged children in more than 100 countries on six continents through gift-filled shoeboxes. The S. Central VA OCC team is calling on school groups, civic organizations, and businesses to join us in an effort to pack 1,000 shoe box gifts and to experience the joy of sharing with children around the world who live in difficult situations.

Items needed are small stuffed animals and dolls, jump ropes, yo yos, rubber balls, caps, t-shirts, hair accessories for girls, sunglasses, small cars and trucks, flashlights with extra batteries, school supplies, monetary donations to help with the $7 per box shipping cost, and volunteers (middle/upper school age) to pack shoe boxes.

To make a contribution and/or to participate contact: Sarah Stokes – OCC Area Coordinator 434-223-8988 or svestokes@gmail.com, or Peggy Vaughan – Community Relations 434-645-0391 or peggyv@embarqmail.com.

National Collection Week will be Nov. 12-19. FUMC will again serve as a collection center with the following hours: Nov. 12 – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Nov. 13 – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Nov. 14 – 3 – 6 p.m.; Nov. 15 – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Nov. 16 – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Nov. 17 – 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Nov. 18 – noon – 3 p.m.; Nov. 19 – 9 – 11 a.m.

For questions about the Farmville Collection Center please call 434-223-8462.

Other drop-off locations in this area include: Rocks Baptist Church, Pamplin – 434-352-0489; Bethlehem Baptist, Dillwyn – 434-983-2493; Ash Camp Baptist, Keysville – 434-250-0698.

The S. Central VA goal is 12,500 shoebox gifts that will bring joy to underprivileged children around the world.