Boxes for children
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on November 2, 2017 5:50 AM
Wayne County people are once again stuffing shoe boxes for needy children at Christmas time.
Operation Christmas Child was started by Samaritan's Purse in 1993.
Each year, people all over the country -- including Wayne County -- prepare shoe boxes filled with various items for children, things like school supplies, theme books, crayons, pencils, pencil sharpeners, coloring books, T-shirts, baseball caps, socks, small toys, hair accessories and beads.
"Some of these children live in slums and places where they scrounge for food, and hygiene items are needed," said Trellis Phillips, who had been the local coordinator for the past 15 years. "They also need soap, but bar soap, not liquids. They are not allowed to send liquids, medications, toothpaste or candy. But you can include a comb and toothbrushes."
You can pick up a pamphlet about the program at Adamsville Baptist Church.
After filling a shoe box, attach a label that comes with the pamphlet and mark it for the right age group and if it's for a girl or a boy. Don't forget to include $9 in an envelope for shipping.
Shoe boxes may be dropped off Nov. 13 through 20.
There are several drop-off centers in Wayne County, including:
* Mount Olive First Pentecostal Holiness Church, Nov. 12 and 14 from noon to 2 p.m., Nov. 15 from 4 t o 7 p.m.; Nov. 16 from noon to 3 p.m., Nov. 17 and 19 from 3 to 6 p.m. and Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon.
* Spilman Memorial Baptist Church, 601 Madison Ave., Kinston, Nov. 13 through 16 from 9 to 11 a.m., Nov. 17 from 4 to 6 p.m., Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Nov. 19 from noon to 5 p.m. and Nov. 20 from 9 to 10 a.m.
* Newton Grove Unity Presbyterian Church, 1155 N.C. 503, Newton Grove, Nov. 13 from 9 to 11 a.m., Nov. 14 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Nov. 15 and 16 from 2 to 4 p.m., Nov. 17 from 3 to 7 p.m., Nov. 18 from 3 to 6 p.m., Nov. 19 from 12:30 to 5 p.m and Nov. 20 from 8 to 9 a.m.
* Southwood Memorial Christian Church, N.C. 58 South, Kinston, Nov. 13 from 4 to 6 p.m., Nov. 14 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Nov. 15 from 5 to 8 p.m., Nov. 17 from 2 to 5 p.m., Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Nov. 19 from noon to 5 p.m.
* Pinkney Baptist Church, 3158 N.C. 581 North, Fremont, Nov. 13, 14 and 17 from 5 to 7 p.m., Nov. 15 from 4 to 8 p.m., Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nov. 19 from 3 to 7 p.m. and Nov. 20 from 9 to 10 a.m.
The main collection center for Wayne County is Adamsville Baptist Church at 1302 N. Berkeley Ave. Boxes may be taken there Nov. 13 from 2 to 8 p.m., Nov. 14 from 2 to 6 p.m., Nov. 15 from 3 to 8 p.m., Nov. 16 from 10 a.m. to noon and 2 to 6 p.m., Nov. 17 and 18 from 3 to 5 p.m., Nov. 19 from 1 to 8 p.m. and Nov. 20 from 10 to 11 a.m.
For more information call 919-778-4150.