Nov. 21, 2012
For Immediate Release
Leaders from the Campbellsville-Taylor County community and Campbellsville University gathered at the Taylor County Relay Center to celebrate Operation Christmas Child efforts. Taylor County raised 5,238 shoeboxes to be delivered around the world. Campbellsville University raised 1,116 of the total number of shoeboxes. (Campbellsville University Photo by Ellie McKinley)
By Christina L. Kern, office assistant
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Operation Christmas Child numbers are in. Taylor County’s Relay Center raised a total of 5,238 shoeboxes to be delivered around the world through Operation Christmas Child. Campbellsville University contributed 1,116 shoeboxes toward the total.
“What a blessing it is to know that through the Taylor County Relay Center over 5,000 children will receive a gift and, more importantly, will be provided the opportunity to learn about Jesus,” Sherry Bowen, assistant coordinator with the Taylor County Relay Center and secretary in the School of Theology at Campbellsville University, said.
“We were blessed with over 80 volunteers. Thanks to Campbellsville University students and community volunteers, who filled boxes, worked at the Relay Center or helped in any other way.”
The total for the nine-county area including Adair, Boyle, Casey, Garrard, Lincoln, Marion, Mercer, Taylor and Washington counties is 23,076 shoeboxes. This amount is double from 2009, and up from 18,755 shoeboxes last year. Shoeboxes from the nine-county area, which were all delivered to a relay center in Danville, are scheduled to go to children in Africa and/or Ukraine.
“Pray for the children receiving our boxes that the faith, hope and love contained in a shoebox will communicate to each child that they are not forgotten,” Dr. G. Ted Taylor, Taylor County Relay Center coordinator and professor of Christian studies and director of leadership/ character development institute at Campbellsville University, said.
John Chowning, vice president for church and external relations and executive assistant to the president, said, “We would like to say thank you to the churches and citizens of Campbellsville-Taylor County for their amazing response to Operation Christmas Child as evidenced by the donation of 5,238 boxes.
“Once again, the community as a whole has come together to help support a worthy cause and to share the love of Jesus Christ with children in other countries. The partnership involving OCC volunteers, local churches, numerous individuals, and CU faculty, staff, coaches and students, results in this record number of boxes for Operation Christmas Child. May God bless all those who have given of their time and resources to make this possible.
“We pray that the children, who open these boxes from our community, will know that they are truly loved and that they experience the love of Jesus Christ.”
Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse. The organization expects to deliver its 100-millionth shoebox this year.
According to their website, 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.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,600 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.