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Assistant Managing Editor EAST LONGMEADOW For Karen Arntz and her family, preparing for Christmas is all about the presents -- but not in the way you might think. For the past three years, Arntz and her family have worked diligently to make Christmas a season of hope for impoverished children around the world. They do it as part of Operation Christmas Child, filling shoeboxes with gifts for children aged two to 14. Operation Christmas Child -- a project of Samaritan's Purse, which is run by Franklin Graham, the son of popular evangelist Billy Graham -- aims to send Christmas gifts to as many children as possible to give them hope when they may not have any. "Two years ago I heard about this [project] on WIHS radio and I thought I would like to be a part of it," Arntz said. She and her two children, eight-year-old Grace and six-year-old Nathan, found two shoeboxes and filled them with items -- one designed for a boy, one for a girl -- and drove to Windsor, Connecticut to have them shipped with other donations from the region. "When we drove down to Windsor and I saw all these trucks and boxes [filled with shoeboxes], I decided that, next year, we would do more," she explained. In 2004, Arntz said she enlisted the help of family, friends and her church, First Baptist Church of East Longmeadow. The result? Ninety seven shoeboxes ready to be sent to children in developing and war-torn countries around the world. Arntz collected the shoeboxes at her house and her bedroom was overflowing with gifts by the time everything was ready to be shipped. Her son, Nathan, said he hoped they would fill one million boxes. However, Arntz explained, that number of boxes would not fit in her Subaru. "Giving is better," Nathan explained. "If you give something that you really want, your heart will feel more joyful and loving. It's better to give than to get." His big sister, Grace, agreed. "Pick out toys that you would want, then maybe you'll get those same toys for Christmas. It feels really good to give a gift. The first year we brought two boxes ... [last year] we collected 97 -- who knows how many we will collect this year." Since there was such a strong response, and her children were so willing to help out and make the program grow locally, Arntz asked her church if they would mind volunteering to be a collection site. If so designated, Operation Christmas Child would send a tractor trailer to pick up donations and Arntz would not have to worry about running out of space to hold the gifts. This year, she said, boxes can be dropped off either at the church (50 Parker St.) or at her house, 242 Somers Rd. She said she keeps her breezeway open during the day and donations may be dropped off there or empty shoeboxes and labels may be picked up. Gifts must be received by Nov. 18. In each box, she explained, children or families can include a note with their name and address -- some children choose to respond. "There's a family at my church who corresponds with a child in Africa [who received their gift]," she said. Every box is collected and brought to one of six U.S. processing centers where it is inspected and sorted, then packaged to be sent overseas. Before it leaves, Operation Christmas Child also adds a booklet, written in the language of the region where that shipment is being sent. "For some, all they know is war, famine or disease," Arntz explained. "The booklet is to let them know that this was done out of love and that God loves them." How to help Suggested gifts include toys: small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small "Etch-a-Sketch," toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), "Slinky," etc. Recommended school supplies: pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, coloring books, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, etc. Recommended hygiene items: toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc. Other items: hard candy (lollipops, mints), gum, sunglasses, flashlights (with extra batteries), ball caps, socks, tee shirts, toy jewelry, hair clips, watches, small picture books, etc. Do not include: used items, war-related items (toy guns and knives, etc.), chocolate or perishable foods, liquids (shampoo, liquid soap, bubbles, etc.), medicines (vitamins, cough drops, ointment, etc.) and breakable items, such as mirrors, china dolls, snowglobes, etc. To pack the gifts: find an empty shoe box. You can wrap it (lid separately so it can be inspected), but it is not necessary. Decide whether the gift is for a boy or girl in an age category two to four, five to nine, or 10 to 14. Use a label (Arntz has made them available at her home), tape it to the top of the box and mark the correct age category. Include a check for $5 or more to help cover shipping and other costs. Make checks payable to Samaritans Purse and note in the memo that it is for Operation Christmas Child. If packing multiple boxes, only one check with combined donations is necessary in one of the boxes. Place envelope with check on top of gifts in box so it is clearly visible, then secure box and lid with a rubber band. For more information about Operation Christmas Child, call Karen Arntz at 525-1585, e-mail her at karntzpt@aol.com, or call 800-353-5949. The website is www.samaritanspurse.org. | ||||||
