Posted on Nov 5, 2009 | by Staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--LifeWay Christian Stores will hold an Operation Christmas Child collection day Saturday, Nov. 14, for gift-filled shoe boxes to be distributed in 100-plus countries.

Since 2003, LifeWay has taken part in Samaritan's Purse outreach to bring joy and a message of God's love to children around the world through toys, hygiene items, school supplies and other small gifts.

"We've been delighted to help facilitate the generous giving by thousands of our customers over the years," said David Ecrement, manager of media and events for LifeWay Christian Stores. "While this is the busiest time of year for our employees, we all find great joy in being involved with and supporting Operation Christmas Child."

Store employees will be available to suggest gift ideas to customers, and LifeWay will have a limited number of shoe boxes and labels available so customers can pack boxes on site.

LifeWay also is offering a special 50 percent discount on the new Veggie Tales DVD, "Saint Nicholas," to shoe box donors on Nov. 14.

Suggested items to pack in a shoe box or small plastic container include:

-- School supplies: pens, pencils, crayons, picture books, solar calculators.

-- Toys: small cars, dolls, balls, stuffed animals, jump ropes.

-- Hygiene items: toothbrushes, toothpaste, mild bar soap, combs, washcloths.

-- Other: hard candy, lollipops, mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, watches.

-- A personal note: In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family.

However, the shoe boxes should not include damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate; food; lotions or liquids; medications or vitamins; glass containers; or aerosol cans.

Samaritan's Purse, an international relief and evangelism organization led by Franklin Graham, has a goal of distributing 8 million shoe boxes globally this year.
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For more information about LifeWay Christian Stores' participation in Operation Christmas Child and for store locations, go to www.lifewaystores.com/occ.