The Grenfell and Weddin communities have shown their compassion and support with over 500 gift boxes sent from the town as part of Operation Christmas Child.
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"A big thank you to the people of Grenfell for their wonderful generosity toward Operation Christmas Child," Organiser Joyce Baker said.
"537 gift filled shoe boxes were sent from Grenfell for 2019 which is an amazing result."
According to Mrs Baker the boxes bring along many opportunities to not only the children they are delivered to but the whole community as well.
"Each shoe box is a gospel opportunity and also an opportunity to provide practical assistance in education, clean water, health care and livelihood training in the areas where shoe boxes are distributed."
According to Samaritan's Purse locals who donated to Operation Christmas Child are helping to build relationships and are having a very positive impact on the communities they are sent to.
"The community relationships that the shoebox program builds have many positive outcomes and stories," a spokesperson said.
Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is a project of Samaritan's Purse.
Organisers of OCC partner with local churches in developing nations to reach out to children by providing gift-filled shoeboxes as well as opening up a dialogue with the children and their communities about Christianity.
After receiving shoebox gifts, many children are also invited back to participate in The Greatest Journey - an evangelism and discipleship program according to Samaritan's Purse.
Though the cutoff for this Christmas has been and gone locals are encouraged to start thinking ahead for next year with the boxes needing to be dropped off in October 2020 at the Grenfell Christian Bookshop.
Rebecca Hewson
A local with a love of local news reporting for the people across the Hilltops and Weddin areas.
A local with a love of local news reporting for the people across the Hilltops and Weddin areas.
