Dexter United Methodist Church Plans Operation Christmas Child Effort

The holidays are fast approaching, and parishioners at are hard at work preparing Christmas gifts for children worldwide.

The church is holding its Operation Christmas Child donation drive in conjunction with Samaritan's Purse International, a nonprofit humanitarian organization that collects shoeboxes full of necessities to send to children in war-torn countries.

Dexter resident Tracie Sikora, a member of DUMC, has been involved with Operation Christmas Child for more than five years and is a passionate advocate of the program. Thanks to Sikora’s efforts, DUMC is now an official Operation Christmas Child drop-off location.

“Operation Christmas Child is an easy way for people to help desperately poor children all around the world,” Sikora said. “Millions of these kids have never had a Christmas, let alone a gift."

Residents interested in helping can simply fill a shoebox with new, nonperishable items such as school supplies, hygiene items, small toys, clothing, books and flashlights. Items to avoid include toy guns, chocolate, glass, liquid and seeds.

Once the shoebox is filled, visit the Samaritan’s Purse website to print instructions and labels for the box. There is an optional $7 donation requested for each box. Payment can be left inside the box or online by clicking on the "follow your box" option.

Shoeboxes may be dropped off at the church from 9 a.m.-noon Nov. 14-18; from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 19-20; and from 9-11 a.m. Nov. 21.

According to Sikora, the congregation collected 257 boxes last year. This year, her goal is to collect 500 boxes.

“Anyone can do this," Sikora said. "It is a great way to get into the true giving spirit of Christmas.”

For more information, visit samaritanspurse.org or call 734-424-9890.