Group of students after a packing party.

Submitted photos

Harney County has finished a record-breaking season with Operation Christmas Child!  The past several weeks were filled with packing parties at Crane Fellowship Church, Burns Christian Church, the Sewell & Mangrum Family packing event, Crane FFA community event and the Faith Baptist Church Sunday Youth Group. Then the Harney County Church of the Nazarene hosted the weeklong National Shoebox Collection for local community members to bring in their filled shoeboxes, while  simultaneously hosting their own packing event. This year surpassed the 2023 total of 641 boxes from Harney County Community, to a record breaking total of 827 boxes! 

Every year in November, churches, clubs and community groups across the nation, fill shoeboxes full of school supplies, hygiene items, and toys for children in need around the world. Since Operation Christmas Child first started in 1993, 220 million shoeboxes have been sent around the globe, spreading the message of Good News through discipleship opportunities and great joy in the small, but much needed gifts. 

While Harney County has been a part of Operation Christmas Child for many years, it has seen a yearly increase and growth as more churches and community groups become involved. On behalf of everyone in the Harney County Operation Christmas Child regional team, we would like to thank the community for its continued support of this project through donations, helping pack shoeboxes, or supporting fundraising events. 

If anyone is interested in learning more, wanting to pack a shoebox or host a packing party before next year‘s collection week, please contact Laurellynne Sewell at 541-981-9294, Laurellynne83@aol.com or go to Samaritanpurse.org/occ