Richfield's O.C.C. Operation

Each year at this time our students begin to plan a trip to Charlotte, NC to the Operation Christmas Child warehouse to help process thousands of shoeboxes that go to children in third world and war torn countries. Recently, a group met with Representatives from Operation Christmas Child to discuss the project together and with the press. Here is an article from the Lewistown Sentinel about the meeting, Operation Christmas Child and the entire process. Please check it out . . . and get involved if you can.

Here is short excerpt:

Editor's note: "Spotlight on Sharing" is an ongoing series published in The Sentinel on the third Tuesday of each month. Featured are stories that focus on people and organizations who give back to the Juniata Valley in a meaningful way. Whether through the donation of time, resources, ideas or manpower, their efforts help make our community a place we are proud to call home.

RICHFIELD - A group of people in Richfield are passionate about putting the Gospel in a shoe box.

Each year hundreds of area churches participate in Operation Christmas Child through Samaritan's Purse, a Franklin Graham ministry.

Shoeboxes are filled with toys and basic grooming needs for children of all ages and sent around the world. A group in Richfield is striving to make sure more people participate and that they understand why the ministry is more than just handing a present to a poor child.

"It's more than gifts," said Vonna Knouse of Richfield, the Susquehanna Valley Area Coordinator for OCC. "It's an opportunity to share the Gospel."

Knouse and a handful of others met at a Richfield restaurant recently to discuss the importance of branching out with the project. National Spokesperson Mary Damron, also known as "Mama Gump," and Leigh Fisher of West Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director, joined them.