Top Story

The Woodlands Nursing Center is collecting donations for Operation Christmas Child until Monday, Nov. 23.

Operation Christmas Child is a drive led by Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical Christian organization headed by Franklin Graham, celebrity evangelist Billy Graham’s son. Donors pack items in shoe boxes, which are sent to Samaritan’s Purse and given to children in third world countries. The organization said it hopes to send more than 100,000 shoe boxes to children in Georgia, a third world country.

The Woodlands is just one branch of Life Care Centers of America, which is a company that stands behind its Christian values according to Tammy Engel, Director of Marketing for The Woodlands.

“Whether it be through prayer with the residents or staff, we have those Christian values in place throughout the day and our lives both personally and professionally,” Engel said

Engel said this is just one way the company can give back to those in need.

“Even here in our country, there are still children that are living in poverty, and they just need a helping hand every now and then,” Engel said. “(We’re) just trying to give back to the community and especially into those other countries that aren’t as fortunate as we are.”

So far, The Woodlands’ collection stacks 50 shoe boxes high. The items inside the cardboard walls might be different, but the decorative theme is consistent – wrapping paper seals each one in an effort to send some holiday cheer to children who might be experiencing the joy of Christmas for the first time.

One of the larger boxes contains a teddy bear, baby doll, candy and a crayon-drawn, budding tree with a note sealed inside a plastic bag. The note reads: “For a child to give to her to mother.”

Marilyn Alberson is the Privacy Officer at The Woodlands. It’s her sixth year at the nursing center, and the sixth year she’s donated to the cause. This year, she gave four boxes, two for boys and two for girls. Inside she included not just toys but toothbrushes and toothpaste.

“We are so blessed in this country,” Alberson said. “And even with our economic hardships right now, we don’t realize how blessed we are. We have a roof over our heads and running water, and they don’t. Anything that you can do to brighten their days is such a blessing.”

Alberson also participates in Operation Christmas Child at her church, Farmland Friends, too. She said the church’s goal is to collect between 400 and 500 boxes.

After the drives across the country are complete, local church volunteers will disperse the boxes. Engel said Forrest Preston, Life Care Centers of America Founder and Chairman will send top collectors on the delivery mission as well.

How to donate:

• Place items in empty shoe box
• Label box for either a boy or a girl
• Label box for age groups:  2-4, 5-9 or 10-15-years old
• Can include a donation for shipping, but not necessary
• Drop off box at 3820 W Jackson St, Muncie, IN, 47304