child-2
By Wayne Gates –

Christmas will be coming in a shoebox to almost two thousand children in Africa this year, thanks to the efforts and generosity of Brown County citizens.
The local effort for Operation Christmas Child, operating out of the Sardinia Church of Christ, recently shipped 1847 boxes to children in Malawi in southern Africa and other places.
The boxes are filled with toys, hygiene items and other gifts, and are designed to be age and gender appropriate from 4-14 years old.
Local coordinator Vicky Dorsey said that the boxes also contain a spiritual gift.
“There is a brochure in their language which tells them who Jesus is.  A lot of kids come to Christ, not only them, but their family.  They say that one shoebox touches six people,” Dorsey said.
Members of the church started working with OCC in 1999.  In 2010, the church became a relay center, or local collection point for the program.
Dorsey has been involved from the beginning.
“I get to go into the schools to talk to the kids about Operation Christmas Child, so that’s a wonderful thing,” she said.
When asked for an example of a child that touched her heart, Dorsey mentioned Hunter Hultz.
“He did ten boxes for Operation Christmas Child with his grade card money and his birthday money.  He told us that next year, he planned to do fifty,” Dorsey said.
Dorsey said the program has room to grow, but she needs help.
“We could use prayer, we could use people out spreading the word about Operation Christmas Child, helping us pack and load the boxes.  There’s always plenty to do.  There are opportunities to help out year-round or just during the collection season,” Dorsey said.
Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Dorsey at (937) 515-3233.