By MICHELLE MILLER
Staff Writer
Community members
are being encouraged to
participate in Operation
Christmas Child to collect
gift-filled shoe boxes for
children in need around the
world.
Coordinator of the event
at the Cooperstown United
Methodist Church, Mary
Beekman, says she began
collections at her church
about five years ago.
``My church in Sayville
did it so when I moved I
started it up here,’’ she
said. ``It’s a good project.’’
Beekman said she will
be showing a video that will
demonstrate what the program
is all about this Sunday
during church hours.
According to Beekman, the
video helps promote the
program because by watching
it, people can see how
the program works and see
where their boxes will end
up.
A little more than 60
boxes were collected and
shipped out last year, said
Beekman.
``That is pretty good for
our size church,’’ she added.
According to Merrilyn
O’Connell of the Cooperstown
Methodist Church,
7.9 million shoeboxes were
distributed worldwide to
children in 100 countries
last year. She said 900
shoeboxes were collected
from area individuals,
churches, and community
groups, which were brought
to the Baptist Church on
Main Street in Oneonta, an
official relay site.
Beekman said the goal
is to get more and more
people to get involved each
year.
``If we can get a few more
each year, we are doing
good,’’ she said.
Shoeboxes and a brochure
that explains the program
are available at the
Cooperstown United Methodist
Church at 66 Chestnut
St. These items can be
picked up and returned no
later than Sunday, Nov. 8.
Those interested in picking
up a brochure and shoe
box are being asked to use
the driveway off Glen Avenue
to the fellowship room
entrance.
Participants are given
the opportunity to determine
whether their gift will
be given to a girl or boy.
They also choose the child’s
age category, which range
from ages 2 to 4, 5-9, and
10-14.
Participants are asked
to donate $7 or more for
each shoe box filled in order
to help cover shipping and
other project costs.
Suggested gift items include
the following:
school supplies such
as pens, pencils, crayons,
paper, solar calculators,
coloring and picture books
and writing pads.
toys such as small
cars, balls, dolls, stuffed
animals, and jump ropes,
hygiene items such as
a toothbrush, toothpaste, a
comb and washcloths,
miscellaneous items
such as T-shirts, flashlights,
gum, mints, lollipops,
hard candy, ball caps,
hair clips and sunglasses.
Gift givers may enclose
a note to the child and a
photo of themselves or family.
If a name and address
is given, the child may
write back.
Items that should not be
included in the shoe box include
used or damaged
items; war related items
such as toy guns, knives, or
military figures; chocolate
or food; out-of-date- candy;
liquids or lotions; medications
or vitamins; breakables
or aerosol cans.
For more information
visit samaritanspurse.org
or call Beekman at 547-
1162.
