3rd Annual Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Event

The Maleno team, family, and friends got together on Monday, November 13th to pack shoeboxes for our third annual Operation Christmas Child initiative.  Our goals are getting more ambitious!  Thie first year we packed 100 shoeboxes; the second year grew to 200; and this year we stretched ourselves to a goal of 400 shoeboxes!  We ran out of a few items after box 399, but after a short run to the store, we were able to complete the last box at 10:59 pm!  From creating the actual boxes, to sorting and packing the items, to marking the boxes for "Boys" and for "Girls", 16 adults and 11 children worked joyfully together in a smooth assembly line at the Washburn home.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief and evengelical organization.  The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world.  Maleno is proud to participate in this project and (gulp!) plan to double our goal again next year!

Special thanks to Nora Gerlach, John Maleno, Dusty & Cristina Ras, Patty Ras, Wendy Rhines, Garrett & Bridget Shames, Fred & Rachel Smith, Jessica Smith, Tim & Linda Sullivan, James & Natalie Washburn, and our 11 "elves".