Operation Christmas Child seeking partner in Deer Lakes area to house thousands of gift-filled shoe boxes

Donations keep flowing in for Operation Christmas Child, but organizers need somewhere to pack them — specifically in the Deer Lakes area.

“We are prayerfully and earnestly in search of a church partner that would like to participate in this mission,” said volunteer Stefani Allegretti of East Deer.

Operation Christmas Child is an effort through international outreach Samaritan’s Purse where gift-filled shoe boxes are compiled before Christmas. They are packed into tractor-trailers for shipping Nov. 13-20 during National Collection Week.

Allegretti said there are more than 100 churches, Scout groups, American Heritage Girls and MOPS clubs that pack and donate boxes to the program.

It amounts to a lot of shoe boxes.

Last year, Allegheny County sent about 14,750 shoe boxes around the globe.

“That means 14,750 children received fun toys, school supplies, personal care items and also learned about the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” coordinator Josh Kingsbury said.

There are about 10 churches in Allegheny County that serve as drop-off sites, but the East Deer/West Deer area is lacking, he said.

With drop-off sites in Harrison and Shaler, somewhere in the middle would serve a great purpose, Allegretti said.

The convenience of a Deer Lakes area drop-off might encourage participation, she said.

“Our hope is that everyone in Allegheny County will have a location to drop off boxes that is within a 20-minute drive,” Allegretti said.“Having another location in this particular area will not only be more convenient for packers but it will generate more awareness of the ministry and increase the number of shoe boxes that we are able to send to children around the world.”

A volunteer since 2021, Allegretti said that every shoebox gift is an opportunity for a child to learn about the Gospel.

Operation Christmas Child, founded in 1993, has resonated with the public so much that more than 209 million shoe boxes have been shipped to children in more than 170 countries and territories, Kingsbury said.

”Each shoebox not only brings a smile to a child’s face, but is a tangible expression of God’s love,” Allegretti said.