Chapel, CGOC partner to bring hope through Operation Christmas Child

Published Dec. 3, 2014
By Joint Base Chaplains Office

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- The Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Chapel is reaching out to share the gift of Christmas to children all over the world.

For the fourth year, the Chapel, along with the Company Grade Officers' Council and numerous volunteers, is partnering with Operation Christmas Child and Samaritan's Purse.

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Since 1993, more than 100 million boys and girls in over 130 countries have experienced God's love through the power of simple shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child.

The shoebox gifts may be small but they have a great impact to the children that receive them. There are two ways to help support this ministry. The first way to help is to volunteer your time.

The Company Grade Officers' Council organized volunteers to help with the Chapel Operation Christmas Child packing party Nov. 19, 2014, at the Dix Chapel.

Another way you can help make these gifts special is by donating items to support the Chapel's packing party. Donations include:
1) Shoeboxes or plastic tubs with lids of similar size
2) Items to fill shoeboxes, for boys and girls ages 2-14
3) Already packed shoeboxes

More information for specific donation ideas and how to pack a shoebox can be found at www.samaritanspurse.org. Please refrain from donating used or damaged items, war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures, chocolate or food, out-of-date candy, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers.

Donations may be dropped off at the McGuire Chapel and Dix Chapel during regular business hours, weekdays 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Donation boxes will also be available during regular Sunday services at all JB MDL Chapels. The Chapel is collecting shoebox gifts from now until Dec. 14, 2014.

For more information or to ask questions, please contact Chaplain (Capt.) Doug Hess at 562-1769 or douglas.hess.2@us.af.mil, or Protestant Religious Education Coordinator Janet Woodley at 562-1394 or janet.woodley.ctr@us.af.mil.