The City of Dumas, AR will be among 5,000 drop-off locations throughout the U.S. collecting shoebox gifts for children overseas during Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week.

During the week of November 12-19, 2018, families, churches and groups are busy transforming empty shoe boxes into fun gifts filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items.  The Samaritan’s Purse project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine.  For many of these children, it will be the first gift they have ever received.

This year, Dumas area residents hope to collect many shoe box gifts to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching 11 million children in need.

“We have an opportunity to make a life-changing impact on children across the world,” said Dumas volunteer Jane Byers.  “These simple shoebox gifts remind children that god loves them, and they are not forgotten.”

First Baptist Church is located at 200 East Waterman Street in Dumas.   Operating hours are as follows:

Monday, November 12th – 1:00 to 4:00pm

Tuesday, November 13th – 1:00 to 4:00pm

Wednesday, November 14th – 1:00 to 7:00pm

Thursday, November 15th – 1:00 to 4:00pm

Friday, November 16th – 1:00 to 4:00pm

Saturday, November 17th – 10:00am to 12:00 noon

Sunday, November 18th – 1:00am to 12:00noon and 5:00 to 7:00pm

Monday, November 19th – 9:00 to 11:00am

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.  Participants can donate $9 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.  Those who prefer online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish pacing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 157 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.