News
 
Gravatar

We have wonderful news to share about the record-breaking year for Operation Christmas Child shoebox donations in Collin County South! It’s heartwarming to see such generosity and impact.

We would like to invite you to the Collin County South Celebration Event, a fantastic opportunity to come together and celebrate. Here are the event details:

    Date: Saturday, April 13, 2024
    Time: Check-in begins at 9:45 am, and the celebration will conclude by 12:00 pm.
    Location: Parkway Hills Baptist Church (2700 Dallas Pkwy, Plano, TX 75093)

Who should attend?   Register now! 

  • Shoebox Packers: If you love packing OCC shoeboxes, this event is for you!
  • Curious Learners: Anyone interested in learning more about the mission and impact of OCC.
  • Leaders and Helpers: Whether you lead or assist in shoebox packing efforts.
  • Party Hosts and Inviters: If you’ve hosted or plan to host a packing party and invite neighbors, friends, or family, this event is relevant.
  • Servants of the Lord: Those seeking ways to serve through evangelism, discipleship, and spreading the Gospel message.
  • Students: Leadership opportunities await you!
  • Local Christian Business Owners: Explore opportunities to give back.
  • Pastors and Church Staff Members: Join in the celebration!

Let’s come together to celebrate the impact of your collective efforts and continue spreading joy through Operation Christmas Child! 

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

Gravatar

Plano, TX, Nov. 6, 2023—More than 4,500 locations will open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project. Volunteers are preparing to collect shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov. 13 ­– 20.

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts—filled with school supplies, personal care items and fun toys—to children worldwide since 1993. In 2023, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children.

Anyone can pack a shoebox! Individuals, families, and groups still have time to transform empty shoeboxes into fun gifts. The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage.

“Children around the world need to know that God loves them and there is hope,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “A simple shoebox gift opens the door to share about the true hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”

Participants can find drop-off locations for Collin County here.

Here is one location and hours:

Prairie Creek Baptist Church      3201 W 15th St, Plano, TX 75075

  • Mon, Nov. 13, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Tues, Nov. 14, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Wed, Nov. 15, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  • Thu,   Nov. 16,   4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Fri,     Nov. 17, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Sat,    Nov. 18,   3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Sun,   Nov. 19,   2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Mon, Nov. 20, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Other locations with varying hours include:

CityBridge Community Church   6400 K Ave, Plano, TX 75074

Parkway Hills Baptist Church     2700 Dallas Parkway, Plano, TX 75093

The Cross Church                      100 N 1st St, Wylie, TX 75098

Cottonwood Creek Church        1015 Sam Rayburn Tollway, Allen TX 75013

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Operation Christmas Child will celebrate its 30th year of ministry!

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

October 28, 2023—Operation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, delivers gift-filled shoeboxes to millions of children in need each year. For 30 years, Collin County families have packed shoebox gifts for boys and girls around the world. One of these gifts reached Moises in El Salvadore when he was a young boy. Moises shares in this video how the simple gift had a life-changing impact.

The Collin County South chapter of Operation Christmas Child wants to encourage residents as they kick off the upcoming collection season to fill more than 25,000 shoeboxes with fun toys, school supplies and personal care items—contributing to the global goal of reaching 11 million children in Jesus’ Name.

During Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week Nov. 13 – 20, residents can bring gift-filled shoeboxes to multiple Collin County drop-off locations or scan   

For more information, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement. Many shoeboxes built online go to hard-to-reach countries. 

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Operation Christmas Child will celebrate its 30th year of ministry!

Gravatar

With the holiday season in the air, Collin County is putting plans in place to help those who are less fortunate across the globe. Local churches, businesses, and individuals are transforming empty shoeboxes into gifts of hope by filling them with supplies like pencils, crayons and notebooks, alongside personal care items and fun toys.  (How to Pack a Shoebox)

Operation Christmas Child will deliver the gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way.

“In 2023, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children,” the organization said in a news release.  And yet, that is just a tiny percentage of children who may have never received a gift in their lives. For more information, go to (SamaritansPurse.org/occ).

National Collection Week is also fast approaching, Nov. 13-20. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. (Track a Shoebox)

Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, and finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.   For online packing, visit (samaritanspurse.org/buildonline).

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

For 7 years, Collin County residents have been a part of Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse that shares the true meaning of Christmas with children in need around the world. On Saturday, Aug 26, volunteers from Allen, Plano and surrounding cities will gather to kick off collection season—with a goal of packing more than 25,000 shoeboxes with fun toys, school supplies and personal care items. These gift-filled shoeboxes will contribute to the project’s global goal of reaching more than 11 million children in Jesus’ Name.

Saturday, Aug 26, an in-person workshop will be held to inform, encourage, and equip local volunteers across the Collin County area.  This is for anyone who loves packing OCC shoeboxes, who desires to learn more about the mission and ministry of Operation Christmas Child, or who is looking for a way to serve the LORD through Evangelism, Discipleship, and Multiplication of the Gospel message.

Register early for this free event and you could be eligible for 50 Operation Christmas Child cardboard shoeboxes.  8:45-12:30 at Cottonwood Creek Church (1015 Sam Rayburn Tollway, Allen, TX 75013).

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement. Many shoeboxes built online go to hard-to-reach countries.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Operation Christmas Child will celebrate its 30th year of ministry!

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

Operation Christmas Child partners, you are invited to an OCC Celebration Event!  Register now! 

     What:   2022 was another RECORD-BREAKING year in Collin County South--the third in a row!  Let’s come together for a time of celebration, prayer, and thanksgiving for all that the Lord did through you and through this ministry.  

     When:  Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 10:00 - 11:30 am

     Where: Parkway Hills Baptist Church (2700 Dallas Pkwy; Plano, TX 75093)

     What Can I Expect?  Celebration, Testimony, Prayer, and Encouragement 

     Who should attend:  Anyone who loves the ministry of Operation Christmas Child

     We can’t wait to see you!   - Your Collin County South Area Team of Year-Round Volunteers

Gravatar

Operation Christmas Child leaders in Collin County are celebrating major milestones reached in 2022.  Through the generosity of area volunteers, shoebox gifts – packed with fun toys, school supplies, hygiene items – are bringing joy to children in need across the world.  Each shoebox gift is a tangible expression of God’s love for the child and is often the first gift has child received. 

In 2022:

              10,599,907  shoebox gifts were donated world-wide

                9,303,130  shoebox gifts in the US

                   820,198  shoebox gifts in Texas/Louisiana

                     23,840  shoebox gifts in Collin County South

 

Since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has distributed shoebox gifts to more than 170 countries and this year delivered its 200-millionth shoebox to a young girl in Ukraine.

 

Shoebox gifts bring smiles and laughter to children but more importantly each gift brings…

              Evangelism – Every child will know Jesus loves them.

                   Discipleship – Greatest Journey for children and families to faith in Christ.

                        Multiplication – Changed lives now discipling others.

 

If you are interested in year-round volunteer opportunities with Operation Christmas Child or curious about the ministry, join us for one of our upcoming Coffee Chats.

2023 Dates:  March 23,  April 13,  May 11

Time:           6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Location:      Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea

                  3613 Shire Blvd, Unit 110, Richardson TX

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

An amazing senior from Allen, TX, loving referred to as The Chicken Lady, turned 80 years young this year.  She dreamed of a God-size goal to pack 1,000 shoeboxes in 2022 for Operation Christmas Child.  With the help of her husband and many Chicken Lady friends, the goal was met and exceeded well before National Collection Week. 

Soon, more than 4,500 locations will open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project. Even now, volunteers are preparing to collect shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov. 14 ­– 21.

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts—filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys—to children worldwide since 1993. Anyone can pack a shoebox! In 2022, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children this year alone.

Individuals, families, and groups still have time to transform empty shoeboxes into fun gifts. Samaritan’s Purse partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage.

“Now more than ever, children around the world need to know that God loves them and there is hope,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “A simple shoebox gift opens the door to share about the true hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”

You can find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation to drop off your shoebox gifts. The online lookup tool is searchable by City or ZIP code. In addition, here are four local Drop Off Locations:

Plano, TX – CityBridge  Community Church        Allen, TX - Cottonwood Creek Church

6400 K Ave Plano, TX 75074                                1015 Sam Rayburn Tollway Allen, TX 75013

Mon,  Nov 14:  11 AM  –  2 PM                                Mon,  Nov 14:  11 AM  –   5 PM

Tue,   Nov 15:   4 PM  –   7 PM                                Tue,   Nov 15:  11 AM  –   5 PM

Wed,  Nov 16: 10 AM  –   1 PM                                Wed, Nov 16:  11 AM  –   5 PM

Thu,   Nov 17:   4 PM  –   7 PM                                Thu,  Nov 17:  11 AM  –   5 PM

Fri,     Nov 18:   5 PM  –   8 PM                                Fri,    Nov 18:  11 AM  –   5 PM

Sat,    Nov 19: 10 AM  –   1 PM                                Sat,   Nov 19:   9 AM  – 12 PM

Sun,   Nov 20:   2 PM  –   5 PM                                Sun,  Nov 20:   9 PM  –   1 PM

Mon,  Nov 21:   9 AM  – 11 AM                               Mon,  Nov 21:   9 AM  –   5 PM

 

Wylie, TX – The Cross Church                      Plano, TX – Parkway Hills Baptist Church

100 N 1st St  Wylie, TX 75098                     2700 Dallas Parkway  Plano, TX 75093

Mon,  Nov 14:   4 PM  –  7 PM                        Mon,  Nov 14:       3 PM  –    6 PM

Tue,   Nov 15:   4 PM  –  7 PM                        Tue,   Nov 15:  9:30 AM  – 1:30 PM

Wed,  Nov 16:   4 PM  –  7 PM                        Wed, Nov 16:       3 PM  –     7 PM

Thu,   Nov 17:   4 PM  –  7 PM                        Thu,  Nov 17:  9:30 AM  – 1:30 PM

Fri,     Nov 18:   4 PM  –  7 PM                        Fri,    Nov 18:    10 AM  –   12 PM

Sat,    Nov 19: 11 AM  –  7 PM                        Sat,   Nov 19:    10 AM  –   12 PM

Sun,   Nov 20:   9 AM  –  3 PM                        Sun,  Nov 20:    12 PM  –     2 PM

Mon,  Nov 21:  12 AM  –  7 PM                        Mon,  Nov 21:   10 AM  –   12 PM


Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 198 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Operation Christmas Child will collect its 200-millionth shoebox!  One of the Chicken Lady’s boxes could be the 200-millionth or just maybe your shoebox gift!

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest
2022-Project-Leader-Workshop-Social-Media-Graphics

Plano, TX, August 5, 2022—The Collin County South chapter of Operation Christmas Child will host their 6th annual Project Leader Workshop on Saturday, August 27.  This event will kick off the collection season with a goal of packing more than 25,000 shoebox gifts filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items just in the southern Collin County area. 

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 198 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories. This year, Operation Christmas Child will collect its 200-millionth gift-filled shoebox!

The Project Leader Workshop is designed to inform, encourage, and equip our local Operation Christmas Child partners.  It is for anyone who leads or assists in shoebox packing efforts or is interested in learning more about the mission and impact of Operation Christmas Child.

     Saturday, August 27, from 9:30 am – 12:00 pm  

     Cottonwood Creek Church (1015 Sam Rayburn Tollway, Allen, TX 75013)

Each attendee will have the opportunity to attend two of the following four breakout sessions – The Other Side of the Shoebox, The Greatest Journey, Did you Know?, and Crafting Corner.  You are sure to leave the event energized and excited about the ministry of Operation Christmas Child. 

Register now.   We look forward to seeing you.

Gravatar
Pin on Pinterest

Did You Know???

Sometime during 2022, a faithful shoebox packer will pack shoebox number 200,000,000!  That is 200 MILLION!

 

Are You the One?

Do you want to learn more about Operation Christmas Child?  Save the date for our upcoming Project Leader Workshop.

 

Sat 8/27/22 OCC Project Leader Workshop       10am – 12pm

For anyone who packs a shoebox, oversees a group of shoebox packers, or wants to learn more about the mission and impact of Operation Christmas Child

Cottonwood Creek Church

1015 Sam Rayburn Tollway   Allen, TX 75013