By Boyana Peeva
VALDOSTA — Chick-fil-A is participating in Operation Christmas Child — a project of Samaritan’s Purse international relief program.
Everyone who takes part in this operation will receive a coupon for a free Chick-fil-A sandwich.
Volunteers need to pack a shoe box with gifts for children overseas and drop them off at Chick-fil-A on St. Augustine Road by Nov. 17 at 8 p.m. These boxes are then shipped to different countries and children in need will receive them as Christmas presents.
Chick-fil-A has participated in numerous charity programs, such as Toys for Tots, and this year Tina King, marketing manager of Chick-fil-A in Valdosta and Lake Park, said they decided to get involved in Operations Christmas Child as well.
“It’s a wonderful program,” she said. “It helps many children all over the world, and it teaches children about giving. So, we wanted to be the draw point.”
Once the boxes are shipped, participants can track their boxes at www.samaritanspurse.org. The Web site also gives ideas about the items people can put in the box, and suggests to enclose contact information in case the child who receives the box wants to write back. Also requested is a donation of $7 by check or online at samaritanspurse.org to cover shipping costs.
How to Pack a Shoe Box
1. SHOE BOX: Use an empty shoe box (standard size, please) or a small plastic container. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required.
2. BOY OR GIRL?: Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category (2-4, 5-9, or 10-14). Obtain boy/girl labels from the instructional brochures (available at participating Chick-fl-A restaurants) or download from www.samaritanspurse.org/ezgive. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.
3. FILL WITH GIFTS: Please include toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and hard candy (double-bagged). Do not include used items, war-related toys, chocolate or perishable foods, liquids, medicine, or breakable items.
4. INCLUDE YOUR DONATION: Please donate $7 or more for each shoe box you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can find out the destination of your shoe box by making your donation online.
5. DROP OFF: Place a rubber band around each closed shoe box and drop off at Chick-fil-A, 1100 N. St. Augustine Road by Nov. 17 at 8 p.m.
Contact Tina King at (229) 560-2846 or visit samaritanspurse.org to learn more.
