Area families can ensure needy boys and girls around the world have a merrier holiday season by sending shoe box gifts through Operation Christmas Child.
Dickinson's St. John Lutheran Church is serving as southwestern North Dakota's collection center.
Approximately 275 shoe boxes were collected last year at the center, said coordinator Jodeen Myers.
"It's such an awesome thing -- being able to touch the life of a child thousands of miles away you'll never meet and make a difference in their lives," she said.
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse. Last year, over 12,800 shoe boxes were collected from North Dakota and over 7.6 million shoe boxes were collected nationally.
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"It's non-denominational -- civic groups, schools, individuals and families -- there's no boundaries," she said.
Families fill the shoe boxes with gifts for a boy or girl in three age categories: 2-4, 5-9 and 10-15. Gift ideas include small cars, balls, yo-yos, jump ropes, dolls, caps and gloves, pens, pencils with sharpener and crayons.
Hygiene items may include a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, brush, wash cloth and bar soap. Other examples include hard candy, lollipops, gun, T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, watches and flashlights with extra batteries.
Items not to include are used items, war-related toys such as guns and knives, chocolate or food, liquids or lotions.
"It's a simple thing kids can do," said Myers. "One shoe box makes all the difference in the world to the children. It's the only gift they may receive."
Samaritan's Purse adds a message about the birth of Jesus. Families also are welcome to include a greeting.
"Folks have translators there to read the letters. They love getting pictures of families and personal notes. Sometimes, they may write back," said Myers.
The shoe boxes are sent to over 90 countries. Last year, North Dakota's boxes went to Albania, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Kazakhstan, Macedonia, Ukraine, Iraq and Tajikistan.
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"They will probably go to some of these same places this year," said Myers.
Tim and Sonita Wegner's children Amy and Kyle have participated in the shoe box appeal for several years.
"It's the Christian thing to do," said Kyle Wegner.
"I guess it's a way to teach them about giving to other people," added Sonita Wegner.
If possible, include $7 for each shoe box to help with shipping. The boxes may be picked up at the church. The public also may fill their own shoe boxes (no boot-sized).
"Plastic shoe boxes are great. Children carry water or fruit in them. It's another option," said Myers.
The collection dates are Sunday, Nov. 11, through Sunday, Nov. 18, at St. John Lutheran Church.
For more information, call Myers at at 225-3406 or 225-6747. The national Web site is: www.samaritanspurse.org .
