Eastern Iowa surpasses shoebox goal

MALCOLM -- Another shoebox collection year has concluded for the Poweshiek County and Eastern Iowa Hawkeye area Operation Christmas Child team.

Malcom Presbyterian Church collected 1,284 shoe boxes filled with necessities and other gifts for children around the world. The boxes were delivered to Antioch Church in Marion and added to boxes collected elsewhere in the region.

The Eastern Iowa team had a goal of 10,001 boxes and collected 10,007, Amy Speed, area coordinator, said in a press release.

The shoe boxes will be distributed to children in over 170 countries and territories. The project began 30 years ago when Franklin Graham and his team saw a need for gifts of hope in war-torn Bosnia.

Last year, more than 10.6 million shoe boxes were distributed.

This project would not be possible without the help of churches, businesses and individuals who donate and pack boxes, organizers said.

Stepping Stones Christian Store, Newburg Chester Church, Madison Church of Christ, Lynnville Heart of Worship, Montezuma Methodist Church, Community Church of Deep River, Community Life Center of Barnes City, Pleasant Grove Grace Brethren Church of North English, First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, Grace United Methodist Church of Brooklyn, First Presbyterian Church Montezuma, Christ United Methodist Church Belle Plaine, Community Hope Church Montezuma, Victor Baptist Church, Highland Ridge of Williamsburg, and the Malcom Presbyterian Church contributed to this year’s effort.

To build a shoebox online, visit SamaritansPurse.org/occ.