Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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Operation Christmas Child Brings Joy in a Shoebox a STAFF REPORT Each Christmas season, Samaritan's Purse chooses to celebrate Church, Cedar Falls Baptist, Hope Mills Presbyterian, Stedman Baptist, First by reinforcing the adage that it is better to give than to receive. The Baptist Church of Spring Lake and Fairview Baptist. There are also collection Samaritan's Purse is a Christian organization that is dedicated to providing points in Raeford, Southern Pines, Lumberton and Clinton. relief to impoverished and struggling people Donations should be made in a shoebox or internationally. The very name of the organization, similarly sized box with a removable lid. The which is based off a parable in the Bible that boxes can be wrapped, but the lids should be expresses Jesus' teaching to help unconditionally, wrapped separately. Each box should also be sent expresses the sentiment on which this organization with $7 in cash or check to cover the expenses was founded. One of the many ways that of shipping. There are also suggestions on how Samaritan's Purse practices this principle of giving to pack a box, and what to leave out on the is through Operation Christmas Child. Samaritan's Purse website. Operation Christmas Child unites communities Generally toys, school supplies, hygiene items, across the nation through stuffing shoeboxes, accessories (such as T-shirts, hair clips, or or shoebox-like containers, with gifts to send sunglasses), and a personal note are great things as Christmas presents to impoverished children to pack. Food, liquids, medications, war-related all across the world. These small gifts are far items and breakable items should be left out of more than just simple toys when they are given the boxes. to children. They are a symbol of the love If the drop off dates are missed, don't worry. Each year, operation Christmas Child delivers shoeboxes to and compassion that the parable of the Good Samaritans Purse collects donations year millions of children around the world. Samaritan teaches. While these gifts may seem round. Boxes can be sent to the headquarters in small when they are packed, the impact and the Boone, N.C. This address can be found at www. joy that they create in communities, and in a single samaritanspurse.org where monetary donations child's life are immeasurable. can also be made year round. Now, boxes can be tracked online at this same Operation Christmas Child first began in 1993. Since then, more than 100 website, so people can see where their gifts finally arrive. million children in more than 130 countries have received these shoebox gifts. Operation Christmas Child is not all that the Samaritan's Purse does This year, the aim is to increase this number even more. In the Fayetteville however. They have many fundraisers and projects that benefit global victims region alone, the goal is to collect 30,000 shoeboxes in support of the project. of war, natural disaster, famine and poverty. Volunteers and donations from all Samaritan's Purse hopes to collect 9.8 million boxes from across the nation. over the nation make the good work that this organization does possible. For Often church groups or volunteer groups create the shoeboxes, but any and more information about Operation Christmas Child, drop off sites, volunteer all donations are welcome. The official drop off dates for this year are Nov. 18 opportunities or any of the work that Samaritan's Purse does, visit www. - 25. Drop off sites are located all over Fayetteville including Faymont Baptist samaritanspurse.org. Fun rdable, F o , Aff AMILY Entert ainm ent ! Cape Fear Eye Associates is now offering you the most advanced technology available for cataract surgery with the LenSx Laser Technology • Image-guided laser refractive cataract surgery Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16th • Bladeless, computer controlled laser • Laser astigmatism correction • Customized cataract surgery • Most precise surgical outcomes • One of the safest and most successful procedures today Puck drops both nights at 7 p.m. Saturday, November 16th is Mascot Night! Don't miss out on either night of exciting FireAntz Hockey! •Comfortable, relaxed setting Schedule your consultation today with Sheel Patel, MD or J. Wayne Riggins, OD, MD and see if you're a candidate for this life-changing procedure 910.321.0123 Call FireAntz office for more information. www.CapeFearEye.com WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM TICKETS Adults $12 - $25 Children always $5 Tickets available at the Crown Center Box Office www.fireantzhockey.com NOVEMBER 13-19, 2013 UCW 13