Operation Christmas Child Invites Union County Residents to Share Hope, One Shoebox at a Time
MAYNARDVILLE, Tenn. — What if one simple shoebox could bring a child joy, offer hope to a family and open the door to hearing the greatest story ever told?

This November, residents of Maynardville and the surrounding Union County community will have an opportunity to make that kind of difference through Operation Christmas Child, a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse that delivers gift-filled shoeboxes to children around the world while sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Whether you are packing a shoebox for the first time, or you have been leading your church or group for years, this event is for you.

We will have available resources for the 2025 season to keep you going or to get you started packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.

You will also have the amazing opportunity to hear from shoebox recipient, Alyona Van Winkle from Ukraine, who experienced the transforming power of a simple shoebox gift sent in Jesus’ name.

As the Thanksgiving season approaches, many families and children are giving thanks for all their blessings and sharing those blessing with children in need by packing shoeboxes with Operation Christmas Child.

Have you ever wanted to meet a shoebox recipient? To experience first-hand the life-changing power of a simple shoebox gift when sent in Jesus' name?
Well, here's your chance.
Join us at Milan Baptist Church in Maynardville on September 9, 4 to 6 p.m., for our Project Leader Weekend OCC Area-Wide Kickoff Event. You have an amazing opportunity to hear from and meet in-person shoebox recipient Evangeline from the Philippines.

Maynardville, TN, November, 2022 — Union County churches, groups and individuals want children in need around the world to receive a gift this Christmas season and to experience the love and hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
People from our area partnered with the Samaritan’s Purse project, Operation Christmas Child, to make a difference in the lives of children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine.

Maynardville, TN, October 2021— Union County residents want children in need around the world to receive a gift this Christmas season and to experience the love and hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
“Anyone can be a part of making an eternal impact on the lives of children this holiday season simply by packing a shoebox gift filled with school supplies, toys, hygiene items like a toothbrush and a “WOW” item like a stuffed animal or soccer ball,” says Amie Winstead, Area Coordinator.

Area Families Help Operation Christmas Child Change Lives with Simple Gifts

Maynardville, TN, July 2021— Union County families believe it is never too early to make a difference, which is why, whether it is July or December, they are transforming shoeboxes into gifts of joy. Operation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, delivers the shoeboxes—filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys—to children in need worldwide.

Union County, TN, 2019—For many years, Union County residents have been a part of Operation Christmas Child, a global project that shares the true meaning of Christmas with children around the world. On August 3rd, volunteers from Union, Claiborne, Campbell and Scott Counties will gather to equip Project Leaders as they prepare to pack more than 10,000 shoeboxes with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items. These gift-filled shoeboxes will contribute to the project’s global goal of reaching more than 11 million children in Jesus’ Name.

Operation Christmas Child by Samaritan's Purse, that yearly effort to pack shoeboxes full of necessities for children in some of the world's most threatening situations, is a blessing for the recipients and donors alike.

Just ask Amie Winstead, Area Coordinator for the Operation Christmas Child Cumberland Pathway Team. She's been packing shoeboxes for nine years, and she says the effort "allows us to be foreign missionaries without leaving our hometowns."

This year's Operation Christmas Child shoebox drive in Union County wasn't just an opportunity to support foreign missions. It was also a chance for local churches and community organizations to come together and work towards a common goal.

A project of Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child asks donors to pack shoeboxes with much-needed sundries like hygiene items, school supplies and toys. The shoeboxes are given to children around the world, often in the most dire situations imaginable. And with each shoebox is delivered another gift: the gospel message of Jesus Christ.