| Special to the Enquirer

The Hartselle area will be well represented when Operation Christmas Child delivers shoebox gifts to children of needy families around the world before Christmas.

The Franklin Graham Samaritan’s Purse project received 1,948 shoeboxes filled with small gift items from local churches, various community organizations and individuals. The gifts were processed and packed into cartons at West Hartselle Baptist Church on Nov. 25. From there, they went to the North Regional processing center at Wall Hwy. Baptist Church in Madison and will eventually wind up in Atlanta, Ga. before being shipped overseas,.

“This year’s gifts almost doubled the number donated last year,” said Mark Shaw, who coordinated the project for WHBC. “Samaritan’s Purse provided us with 85 large packing cartons. After we filled them, we used 84 more boxes, which we donated by Kroger’s, Lowe’s and Dollar General.”

It was heart warming to be one of the 40 volunteers who participated,” Shaw added. Knowing that we had a part in sharing the gospel to the children who will receive these gifts will help us stay focused on the real meaning of Christmas.”