Traditions abound with Operation Christmas Child

By Sequim Gazette Staff • November 10, 2021 1:30 am
Twila Guengerich, Sequim, has crocheted more than 100 warm caps this year to be delivered to needy children around the world by Operation Christmas Child. Submitted photo
Twila Guengerich, Sequim, has crocheted more than 100 warm caps this year to be delivered to needy children around the world by Operation Christmas Child. Submitted photo

Following a years long family tradition, Twila and Owen Guengerich of Sequim, participate annually in Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 188 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.

Each year Twila crochets colorful hats; this year, her hats will warm the heads of more than 100 children, organizers say.

Owen’s cousin Ira Miller, in rural West Virginia, began packing shoebox gifts 12 years ago, encouraging his family to participate as well. In 2017, he packed 100 shoeboxes to celebrate his 100th birthday. Now 104, he’s packed more than 1,000 shoebox gifts since he turned 100. By early August this year the grand total was 1,225 shoebox gifts — the numerical date of Christmas — all to help kids around the world celebrate Jesus’ birth.

Miller said he sees a shoebox gift as much more than a collection of toys and school supplies: “I hope [the children] are blessed and realize that God looks after them and that there’s still hope for them.”

Individuals, families, and groups on the Olympic Peninsula still have time to transform empty shoeboxes into fun gifts. Find a step-by-step guide on the Samaritan’s Purse website at samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box.

Volunteers are preparing to collect these shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov. 15-22, offering a curbside option to meet current COVID-19 restrictions.

Participants can bring filled shoeboxes to a drop-off location at Eastern Hills Community Church, 91 Savannah Lane, at these times: 4-7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 15; 1-3 p.m. Tuesday or Wednesday, Nov. 16-17; 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18; 1-3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20; 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, or 10 a.m.-noon Monday, Nov. 22.

Twila and Owen Guengerich continue a family tradition from West Virginia to Sequim, filling shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child. Owen’s cousin in West Virginia continues to create these one-of-a-kind gifts at the age of 104. Submitted photo

Twila and Owen Guengerich continue a family tradition from West Virginia to Sequim, filling shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child. Owen’s cousin in West Virginia continues to create these one-of-a-kind gifts at the age of 104. Submitted photo