From the press release
Asheville, N.C., February 16, 2012— On Saturday, March 3, at 10:00 AM, the Operation Christmas Child Blue Ridge volunteer team will celebrate the exceeding of all goals locally, regionally and nationally for successful collection of gift filled shoe boxes during the 2011 National Collection Week in November, at the Asheville First Baptist Church. Each shoe box is being delivered with the Gospel message that will show a needy child that they are loved and not forgotten.
Jennifer Davis, OCC Carolinas Regional Manager, will announce the official totals of shoe boxes collected by the volunteers in the seven county local area, the Carolinas region, the United States and the world. Early estimates indicate over 31,000 locally and 690,000 in the Carolinas. She will share some powerful images and stories about The Greatest Journey discipleship program in Madagascar, illustrating how God is using all the individual pieces, in many areas, to make a beautiful picture of His love and glory to so many hurting people around the world.
As a special guest, Mela Sluder, now a high school senior in Asheville and a shoe box recipient from Kazakhstan, will be sharing how amazing it is to see how others care for you and how a simple gift opened her eyes to see that God works everywhere and remembers us all.
Representatives from all churches and community groups, regardless of whether they have participated, are invited and encouraged to attend this exciting celebration. The event is free. All are welcome.
For more information, please contact Nicole Smith, at (828)442-0816, or Marilyn Haynes at (828) 696-2996.
Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, the international relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham, has hand-delivered shoe box gifts in over 130 countries to more than 90 million children suffering from poverty, disaster, disease, and war, since 1993. The booklet, “God’s Greatest Gift” is delivered with each box along with an opportunity to take part in a 12-week discipleship program, The Greatest Journey, leading thousands to Christ.
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