With 9,325 shoe boxes needing finance for departure to more than a dozen countries throughout the world, help came from First Baptist Church Golden Circle Sunday School Class members.
After spending 11 months packing shoe boxes full of toys and other Christmas gifts designated for children, class members spent three days holding their annual Christmas Bazaar fundraiser and holiday sale of decorations, Christmas trees, ornaments, furniture and other gift items to help raise at least $84,000 for the postage needed for the worldwide delivery next month. The sale took place at a former antiques store on College Drive.
"Every 15 seconds, there is a child who is won over to Christ through this Samaritan's Purse program,"said Susan Potter, shoe box committee chairman. "Winning children and getting them to come to know Christ is what this is all about. We had at least 300 to 400 customers come by during the last three days."
For more information regarding cash donations, call 903-826-5551.
Beside this fundraiser in Texarkana, Texas, members of the United Methodist Women's Missionary Chapter at Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Nash also held a holiday fall bazaar and bake sale the last two days, said Suzie George, the chapter's president.
"Nowadays, people don't have time to bake, so they come out and buy items at bake sales," George said.
"This bazaar is mostly a bake sale and we usually hold this fundraiser the week before Thanksgiving, because that's when baked items sell the best."
This fundraiser also included sales of Christmas ornaments, books, decorations and assorted other gift items.
Chapelwood United Methodist Church Pastor Mindy Zwirn said money raised will go toward helping the church ministries.