Shoebox Donation Tops 20,000

Shoebox donations for Operation Christmas Child in the Effingham area topped 20,000 this year.

Local organizer Pat Berry said 20,805 shoeboxes were collected at Cornerstone Christian Church for distribution to children all across the world.  The shoeboxes are distributed by Samaritan's Purse, the parent organization of Operation Christmas Child.  The boxes contain toys and gum, hygiene items and socks, and sometimes notes from those who contribute them.  

Last year, more than 17,000 shoeboxes were collected locally for shipment to North Carolina, from where they are distributed worldwide.