Pope John Students Participate In “Operation Christmas Child”

Shown packing boxes are Pope John Seniors (l. to r.) Trey Baum, Kalin Henn, Ryan Pelster, Austin Meis and Chase Preister
Shown packing boxes are Pope John Seniors (l. to r.) Trey Baum, Kalin Henn, Ryan Pelster, Austin Meis and Chase Preister

Students at Pope John XXIII Central Catholic High School enthusiastically packed their Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts at their annual “Packing Party” Friday, November 20. According to the Samaritan’s Purse website,  “Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, is the world’s largest Christmas outreach of its kind. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to over 124 million children affected by war, poverty, natural disasters, and other crises in more than 150 countries and territories.” Along with shoebox gifts donated by the Park Center Church members, a total of 53 shoeboxes were delivered to the drop-off location at First Baptist Church in Norfolk, Nebraska. This year the shipping fee for the shoebox gifts’ delivery was graciously paid for with money received from the Bargain Box in Elgin. Photo submitted