Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
Churches throughout Craig County have been known for their arm of extension of care to the community.
This month, Craig Valley Baptist Church is hosting their Annual Coat Giveaway, where they open their doors to Craig County residents to come in and pick out a coat for all their family members.
The giveaway will be held on Saturday, November 7, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. All family members are encouraged to come and pick out a coat for themselves for the winter weather coming soon.
Also, if anyone would like to donate coats for this event, they can contact the church.
Craig Valley is also a drop-off for the annual Samaritans Purse, Operation Christmas Child.
Franklin Graham’s ministry distributes these donated, filled shoeboxes throughout the world to children in need.
One can pick up a box and the information at the church at 171 Salem Avenue or call (540) 864-5667 or (540) 864-5725 for more information.
After one had filled the shoe box, they can drop it back by to the church on any of these dates/times in November:
- 16th: 10-11:30 a.m. and 6-8 p.m.
- 17th: 6-8 p.m.
- 18th: 10 – noon and 5;30-6 p.m.
- 19th: 6 – 8 p.m.
- 20th and 21st: 10 – noon
- 22nd: 1 – 3 p.m.
- 23rd: 9 – 11 a.m.
“We continue to share the eternal hope of the Gospel and to serve in Jesus’ Name,” Graham shares on their website. “We want boys and girls around the world to know that God loves them and has not forgotten them during this time of fear and uncertainty. Children need great joy now more than ever.”
With the pandemic, Samaritans Purse also offers an option to “Build a Shoebox Online,” where you pack a shoebox from your computer or handheld device, by selecting toys, books and other things “to delight the heart of a child.”
Anyone can take a regular size shoebox and decide on a boy or girl and then what items you wish to include for age groups, 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14 then select gift items such as:
- A medium to large “wow” item such as a soccer ball with pump, doll or stuffed animal or other fun toys like kick balls, foam balls, slinky, interactive toys
- An outfit of clothing to wear (underwear, hat, scarfs, mittens, shoes, socks, flip-flops, hair bows)
- Small musical instrument (harmonica, etc.)
- School supplies: regular and colored pencils with small sharpener and case, crayons, markers, pens, coloring pads or books, picture book, notebook, adhesive tape, watercolors, stickers, jump rope
- Homemade items such as: finger puppets with a note, hair bows or friendship bracelets
- Pray for the child who will be receiving your gift and include a personal note and photo
- Donate $9 to cover shipping
Do not include candy, chocolate or food, seeds, fruit rolls or fruit snacks, drink mixes, toothpaste, gum, used items, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable glass items, aerosol cans or war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures.
Graham is encouraging supporters to “pack more Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes than ever before as the global pandemic is creating greater opportunities to share the Gospel with children around the world.”
Craig Valley Baptist invites everyone to join them in this extension of love. And, for thousands of kids, this will be the only gift they receive all year long.
