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Operation Christmas kicks off

Ready to collect gift-filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas in their red “angel-winged cart” are, from left, Blake Julian of Iron Mountain High School, Cassidy Menard of Norway High School and drop-off team leader Diane Granquist of Iron Mountain.

IRON MOUNTAIN — Local families and churches are busy transforming empty shoeboxes into gifts of hope. Filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for children of all ages, they are distributed across the world by Samaritan’s Purse.

They partner with local churches to deliver these packages 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.

Volunteer Diane Granquist is the new drop-off team leader for Dickinson County and Iron Mountain. “These simple shoebox gifts remind children that God loves them. We are getting the youth of our area involved in any way possible. Their creative talents are being used to impact children across the world,” she said.

This year, U.P. residents hope to collect more than 10,000 gift boxes to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching 11 million children in need.

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.

Red and green gift boxes can be obtained from First Covenant Church in Iron Mountain, 906-774-5611, or any regular shoebox can be used.

The boxes should be filled with new and age-appropriate items for a boy or girl. Simple items — like a bar of soap, toothbrushes, pencils and paper, or a huggable toy — are luxuries that will bring smiles to children in remote or impoverished areas of the world.

For more information on packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, contact Diane Granquist at 906-774-9648 or U.P. area coordinator Julie Bietila at 906-282-3346, or go to the website at samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Participants can donate $9 per shoebox shipping online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. A shoebox also can be built online at the website.

National Collection Week is Nov. 12-17. Filled shoeboxes should be brought to First Covenant Church at 125 E. H St. in Iron Mountain from noon until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Or call 906-774-5611 for assistance.

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