The occurrence of Covid-19 and two hurricanes did not prevent individuals, groups, churches, schools, organizations, and businesses from packing shoeboxes. These shoeboxes will go to over 150 third world countries to bring cheer and hope. Now more than ever people need to hear the gospel and be given the hope of Jesus Christ.

The West Central La team, (Red River, Sabine, Winn and Natchitoches parishes) collected 13,120 shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child.

The four drop off center totals were as follows:

Red River Parish: 2,195 shoeboxes
(Martin Church-Susan Longino)

Sabine Parish: 2,286 shoeboxes
(Calvary in Many- Cherry Wells)

701 shoeboxes
(Mitchell in Converse-Glenna Ott)

Winn Parish: 1,967 shoeboxes
(First Baptist Winnfield-Jeanine Ford)

Natchitoches Parish: 5,971 shoeboxes
First Baptist Natch -Brenda Ingram

Two and a half 18 wheelers were packed with 350 cartons with over 5,000 shoeboxes. A great big thank you to Coach McConathy and the Northwestern State University basketball team, Ragan Kaufman, Mark Dawson and the Natchitoches Central High School baseball team, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Stuart Wright, NPSO deputies and detectives, State Senator for District 31 Louie Bernard, Natchitoches Parish Clerk of Court David Stamey, Scooter Perot and family that helped move and load the cartons onto the trucks.

Some countries the boxes have been delivered to in 2020 are: Mexico, Mali, Cameroon, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Burundi, Madagascar, Republic of Congo, and Ecuador. Wherever they may be delivered the hope and love of Jesus will be shared.

Big thanks to all who participated in this ministry. For more information samaritan’spurse.org or call Area Coordinator Pansy Morgan 318-471-7160