Celia Petersen and Beth Schroeder and the 5th grade class On Sunday, November 5 the Church School program of the Garden City Community Church held a "special outreach event". Children from Nursery School age to Seventh grade wrapped shoeboxes filled with Christmas gifts for an organization called Samaritan's Purse which runs an event called "Operation Christmas Child". This was the sixth year in a row that the classes have gotten together and donated Christmas shoeboxes, filled with school supplies, toiletries, gloves and mittens, toys and candy for children all over the world who otherwise would not receive a gift at Christmas. From the 10 Church School classes there were enough donations to wrap and ship 63 shoeboxes!

Recipients of these shoeboxes are children throughout the world who live in war-torn countries, areas devastated by hurricanes and other natural disasters and poverty stricken areas. Ian Rottenberg, Youth Minister at the Garden City Community Church read aloud some letters from prior year's recipients. It was meaningful to hear how much a child can appreciate a small gift such as a pencil, notebook and school supplies.

2nd grade teacher Amanda Olivo and class A big thanks to all the parents and youth leaders who participate in this wonderful day and to the Franklin Square Kiwanis Club and Nancy Layton of the Garden City Community Church for securing a donation of $375 towards the cost of the shipping these gifts throughout the world.

For further information about our Church School Programs, contact the Garden City Community Church at (516) 746-1700.

Christina Milone helping the 3rd graders wrap boxes 4th grade class Teacher Beth Simonson (far right) and the Kindergarten class and youth assistants Bill Volz with some of the 6th grade class