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AS A CHILD, Alex Nsengimana survived the Rwandan genocide by seeking refuge in a local orphanage, where he received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift that made him feel loved, gave him hope and brought him joy — in the form of a candy cane. Alex, who now lives in the United States, was able to share that same joy with other children when he returned to Rwanda in 2012.
AS A CHILD, Alex Nsengimana survived the Rwandan genocide by seeking refuge in a local orphanage, where he received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift that made him feel loved, gave him hope and brought him joy — in the form of a candy cane. Alex, who now lives in the United States, was able to share that same joy with other children when he returned to Rwanda in 2012.
LISBON FALLS — This holiday season, Lisbon Falls residents are joining millions of people across the U.S. and around the world to fill empty shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for 9.8 million impoverished children.

During Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week, Nov. 18-25, two collection sites in the Lisbon area will receive the packed boxes. The shoebox gifts are then processed, prepared and delivered to suffering children in more than 100 countries using whatever means necessary — trains, airplanes, boats, elephants, bikes and even dog sleds.

This year, Lisbon Falls residents hope to contribute 3,200 gifts to the global collection goal of 9.8 million gift-filled shoeboxes. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected more than 100 million shoebox gifts and delivered them to needy children.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, or to find the nearest drop-off site, call (518) 437-0690 or visit samaritanspurse.org.

Shoeboxes may be dropped off at Lisbon Falls Church of Nazarene, 184 Main St. on Nov. 18 and 22 from 5-8 p.m., Nov. 19 from 4- 7 p.m., Nov. 20 from 4:30-7:30 p.m., Nov. 21 from 6-9 p.m., Nov. 23 from 9 a.m.-noon, Nov. 24 from 1-3 p.m. or Nov. 25 from 9 a.m.-noon.

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Grace Community Chapel, 187 Lewiston Road, in West Gardiner, will also accept shoeboxes on Nov. 18, 20 and 22 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Nov. 19 and 21 from 5-7 p.m., Nov. 23 from noon-4 p.m. and Nov. 25 from 1-4 p.m.

For information regarding these collection locations, call 1-800-567-8580 or visit samaritanspurse.org.


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