Local charity celebrate National Volunteer Week

As Americans all across the country join forces for National Volunteer Week April 23-29, there are many opportunities right in Arlington Heights to support a cause, serve the community and make a difference.

One volunteer effort making an impact here in Arlington Heights, and around the world, is Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse. The project collects shoe boxes - filled with school supplies, hygiene items and toys - and delivers them to children in need around the world.

For many of these children, the gift-filled shoe box is the first gift they have ever received.

"The purpose of Operation Christmas Child is to send a message to children that they are loved and not forgotten," said Regional Director Nicole Sheldon. "Our volunteers can make an eternal impact on a child in need by giving their time and talents to this simple project."

Susan Schmidt heads up the 34,036 Area Team for Operation Christmas Child.

"I find it a privilege to do all I can to inspire my community to get involved in this project," said Schmidt. "We know that for many of these children, this shoe box gift is the only gift they have ever received. There is a lot of hurt and darkness in the world, and these gifts bring light and hope."

Each year, millions of children in need in more than 100 countries find hope in a simple shoe box gift, many of whom are affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine.

In 2016, Operation Christmas Child volunteers made it possible for nearly 11.5 million children to receive a shoe box gift. This year, the group hopes to send enough shoe boxes to reach another 12 million children, a feat unattainable without the more than 9,000 local volunteers who serve year-round across the country.

Last year, Arlington Heights volunteers, families and groups paved the way as part of the 34,036 to collect shoe box gifts.

As the project gears up for another year, Schmidt and Operation Christmas Child are seeking new, year-round volunteers. To learn more about the volunteer opportunities available in the Arlington Heights area, or to apply, visit samaritanspurse.org/volunteerwithOCC or call (612) 359-7025.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to children in need around the world.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 146 million gift-filled shoe boxes to children in more than 150 countries and territories.

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