Campbellsville University freshmen contribute 563 boxes to Operation Christmas Child

By Kasey Ricketts, student news writer

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Savannah Workman, a senior from Fort Gay, W.Va., carries Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to FIRST CLASS Monday, Nov. 16. (Campbellsville University Photo by Dr. G. Ted Taylor)

CAMPBELLSVILLE, KY (11/16/2015)(readMedia)-- A pen, a bar of soap, socks and a stuffed animal are all basic items that can easily be found in many households. Now imagine for Christmas getting these items delivered to you in a shoebox.

For most this would be a disappointing gift, but to the children of Operation Christmas Child it leaves an everlasting impact in their life.

Campbellsville University's 514 freshmen collected 563 shoeboxes today at chapel to send to underprivileged children throughout the world.

Last year, freshmen sent 424 boxes.

"These hurting children need to know that God loves them and that they are not forgotten," Sherry Bowen, secretary of the School of Theology, said. "Simple gifts but big blessings for all involved."

Bowen is one of the organizers locally of Operation Christmas Child, an annual Samaritan's Purse project that helps to spread joy to millions of children around the world. This is done, she said, by encouraging others to take a shoebox and fill it with school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement – along with a "wow" item such as a doll or soccer ball.

For many of these children the shoeboxes are their first gifts they have ever received.

For the past three years Campbellsville University has served as a collection center for Operation Christmas Child. Last year, CU made history by being the first collection center in the Heart of Kentucky Area to collect over 7,000 shoebox gifts.

Yet, the collection site is just the first stop on a journey across the world to where the gifts will be delivered to children overseas. The boxes are delivered by all means necessary whether it's by boats, airplanes, train or even elephants.

"This year's goal is working toward getting 10,000 boxes collected at the relay center during collection week," Bowen said.

The National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child will be Nov. 16-23.

Dr. G. Ted Taylor, director of FIRST CLASS and Church Outreach Program at Campbellsville University, is the relay coordinator for CU and Taylor County.

"I am thankful that Campbellsville University gets to play a small part in what He will do," Katlin Weeks, a member of the CU OCC team, said. "I hope all the freshman, mentors, instructors and all CU students see that this is more than filling a box. This is about sharing the love of Christ and seeing little children come to know their Father."

All other students, faculty and staff may bring theirs to chapel on Wednesday, Nov. 18.

During collection week the center will be located at Campbellsville University, 307 N. Court St., Campbellsville, Ky. and will be open as follows: Monday. Nov. 16 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 17 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m,; Thursday. Nov.19 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.; Friday. Nov. 20 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.; Saturday. Nov. 21 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.; Sunday. Nov. 22 from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m.; and Monday. Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. 11 a.m.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (270) 789-5029 or visit samaritanspurse.org.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering 63 undergraduate options, 17 master's degrees, five postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

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Campbellsville University students, from left, Jacob Smith of Cullman, Ala.; Corey Shewmaker of Harrodsburg, Ky., Kevin Peters of Radcliff, Ky.; Rusty Watkins, instructor, and Oksana Marquez of Herndon, Ky., deliver Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes

to chapel. The freshmen are in Watkins' freshmen OR-100 class. (Campbellsville University Photo by Dr. G. Ted Taylor)

CU's 514 freshmen collected 563 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes today at FIRST CLASS. From left are: Bree Dunn of Lexington, Ky., mentor; Kidada Dowell, a senior mentor from

Radcliff, Ky.; and freshmen Rachel Seals of Wilmore, Ky.; Shelby Lash of Nashville, Tenn. and Ariel McGinnis of Science Hill, Ky. bring boxes. (Campbellsville University Photo by Dr. G. Ted Taylor)

Savannah Workman, a senior from Fort Gay, W. Va., carries Operation Christmas Child boxes to Ransdell Chapel. (Campbellsville University Photo by Dr. G. Ted Taylor)

Dr. Donna Hedgepath, vice president for senior affairs, carries her OR-100 shoeboxes to Ransdell Chapel. (Campbellsville University Photo by Dr. G. Ted Taylor)