Operation Christmas Child Nat\'l Collection Week Nov. 15th - 22nd

It’s that time of year again—time to start packing shoebox gifts and getting ready to send great joy and hope with the Good News of Jesus Christ to precious boys and girls in need all over the world through Operation Christmas Child!

You see, what goes in a shoebox gift is fun, what comes out is eternal.  That’s why there will be 8 Drop-off Locations in Brevard County once more collecting thousands of such gifts this year for children who need hope and something to smile about.  Shoebox gifts are a tangible way to demonstrate God’s love and there is such a great need for this today.  Last year, the Space Coast Area Team in Brevard collected close to 15,000 shoebox gifts and hope to do so again this year!   Come be a part of something amazing!

This effort is part of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief organization. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, 188 million children in over 170 countries and territories have received a shoebox gift. For many, this will be the first gift they have ever received.  Like last year, Operation Christmas Child overall hopes to collect another 10 million shoebox gifts for children in countries like Peru, Rwanda, Ukraine and the Philippine Islands.

Anyone can participate! Just pack an empty shoebox with a “Wow” item—like a doll or soccer ball—and other fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items. Then take it to a drop-off location during National Collection Week, Nov. 15th – 22nd, 2021.

Drop-off locations for Brevard County include:

1. Crosswalk Community Church/ crosswalkcc.org

77 N. Carpenter Road, Titusville, FL 32796

2. Park Avenue Baptist Church/ www.parkavenue.org

2600 S. Park Avenue, Titusville

3. First Baptist of Port St. John/ firstbaptistpsj.org

3900 Fay Blvd., Cocoa, FL 32927

4. 4.  Grace Life Church/ gracebrevard.org

3420 Murrell Road, Rockledge, FL 32955

5. Eau Gallie First Baptist Church/ egfirst.org

1501 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Melbourne, FL 32935

6. Avivamiento Jehova Jireh-Jehova Rapha

720 Fee Ave. Melbourne, FL 32901

7. Community Chapel by The Sea/ www.facebook.com/ChapelbyTheSea

8240 Hwy. A1A, Melbourne Beach, FL 32951

8. Victory in Christ Jesus Ministries/ www.victoryinchristjesus.org

1851 Palm Bay Rd., Suite 1, Palm Bay, FL 32909

Participating in Operation Christmas Child is fun and something you can do in your own home with your family.  As you bring your shoebox gifts in, know that your health and safety is taken seriously. With that in mind, Samaritan’s Purse will continue to provide a curbside option this year at their drop-off locations. Take a minute to find the one closest to you and their collection times.  For more information about the safety precautions they are implementing this year for staff and volunteers, visit their COVID-19 landing page.

Learn how to pack a shoebox, get your Follow Your Box label and find the nearest drop-off location and times, and more at samaritanspurse.org/occ.    You can also build a shoebox gift online!  Please browse  samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts for a child.  Then when you finish packing the virtual shoebox, you can add a photo and personal note of encouragement. Be a part of this amazing operation and Merry Christmas!

Lynne Phillips is the Area Coordinator for Operation Christmas Child’s Space Coast Area Team.  Please call her if you need more information about the drop-off locations or the processing and distribution of the shoebox gifts.  You can reach her at 321-258-4918 by phone or send an email to her at gnlyphillps@aol.com.

Thank you and Merry Christmas!

The 44th Annual Thanksgiving Leadership Prayer Breakfast

Want to learn more about integrating your faith and work?

Don’t miss…

The 44^th Annual Thanksgiving Leadership Prayer Breakfast

With special guest speaker…

                               Eric Koeser

                               Founder, ADINO (Burger Fi

                               Franchisee) & Co-Founder,

                               HUMBL Brands

                               Friday, November 19, 2021

                               6:30 AM to 8:00 AM

Venue on the Lake

Maitland Civic Center

641 Maitland Avenue South

Maitland, FL 32751

Full hot breakfast buffet!

Chef Scott’s Creative Catering Inc.

Seating is limited to 200 men

Sponsor a table for 8 – $150.00

(Sponsorship includes table signage.)

Individual Tickets – $15 (suggested donation) at the door.

About Eric Koeser

Eric is an Entrepreneur and Franchise Expert who is a partner in several successful ventures including: Adino, which operates BurgerFi franchises in Seminole and Lake Counties; HUMBL, a plant-based restaurant with two locations in central Florida; and Amazing Explorer’s Academy, an innovative preschool. Eric is also on the board of The Better Man Event, which recently featured Denzel Washington and others at their Fall 2021 men’s event.

The Makers Market

Join in at The Makers Market on Friday, November 19th from 6PM – 9PM at Lake Concord Park in Casselberry.

This One of a Kind Marketplace where you can “Purchase with a Purpose” will be a festive night supporting Individuals and Families impacted by a special needs diagnosis. As well as, Nonprofits that are working to create awareness, resources, and solutions for the special needs community.

This is an opportunity to shop for gifts, see craftsmanship and imagination, learn about programs, share stories, have FUN, and a whole lot more!

For more information, please visit:  www.AbilitiesWorkshop.com/market

The Makers Market

The Makers Market is a one-of-a-kind Marketplace where you can “Purchase with a Purpose.” Support Individuals and Families impacted by a special needs diagnosis as well as Nonprofits that are working to create awareness, resources, and solutions for this population. This will be a night of shopping and smiling!

Your Z will see you there!

Rachel

Join the CFCArts Theatre for an American classic depicting an African-American family at the turn of the 20th century striving to find life, liberty, and happiness. This play follows the life of Rachel, an ambitious high-school graduate haunted by her family’s past in the South, and struggling to find her passion, love, and hope in the face of systematic racism.