Members of Lake Point Baptist Church participate in a walk-a-thon to raise funds for shipping costs for Operation Christmas Child. The church will serve as a drop-off location. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

Lake Point Baptist Church Outreach Coordinator Heather Brooks holds a filled Operation Christmas Child box at True-Lay Stadium where the church hosted a walk-a-thon to raise money for the project. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Each year, Operation Christmas Child (OCC) delivers millions of shoeboxes filled with personal hygiene products and fun gifts to impoverished children around the world. In 2022, 10.5 million shoeboxes were distributed globally. The project, which is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse, relies on the support of local churches to pack and collect boxes, and Lake Point Baptist Church in Port Clinton has heeded the call.

Last year, the church challenged its members to assemble OCC boxes. This year, the church volunteered to be a drop-off location. Churches, organizations, and individuals can drop off packed boxes, and Lake Point will deliver them to a processing center.

On June 25, Lake Point hosted Walk2Ship, a two-mile walk-a-thon at True-Lay Stadium that raised money for shipping costs. Each box costs $10 to ship.

“We asked our community to sponsor us to walk two miles,” said Lake Point’s Outreach Coordinator Heather Brooks. That $1,000 goal was met thanks to 17 business sponsors and more than 50 individual sponsors. Any future donations will go toward purchasing personal hygiene items and toys for the boxes. The church will also collect physical items into November.

Each month, the church will request a different item. This month, it will collect girl toys. During church hours, donations can be dropped off at Lake Point Baptist Church at 135 Maple St. in the Port Clinton Plaza behind McDonalds. For information on making financial arrangements, contact Brooks at hbrooks.lakepoint.outreach@gmail.com.

Heather Brooks gives Raleigh Walters a hand around True-Lay Stadium. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Donations can also be dropped off at Twisted Scissors salon at 520 Lay Dr. and Landmark Hair Studio at 143 Maple St.

“Twisted Scissors and Landmark Hair Studio have teamed up with us and are allowing us to set up tables through November,” Brooks said.

Lake Point decided to deepen its involvement with OCC because of the organization’s commitment to sharing the gospel. A gospel message is included in each OCC box.

“We’re trying to reach more people, not just in other countries, but also here in our community,” Brooks said. “This is a conversation starter, not only to get people involved but to also invite them to visit our church.”

More information on OCC can be found at www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child. More information on Lake Point Baptist Church can be found at www.facebook.com/lakepointbaptist.

Mike Koutsourelis, left, and Pastor Lloyd McCarroll walk the track at True-Lay Stadium. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)