Once again the true spirit of Christmas was shown by residents of Nashville and neighboring areas through the 2012 Operation Christmas Child project. Our goal for 2012 was 7,500 shoe boxes – and the final total was 10,202 shoe boxes!!! The boxes are sent to children who are trying to survive famine, earthquakes, other natural disasters, AIDS, and the ravages of war in many parts of the world. We want to let them know that they are not forgotten and that God loves them and we love them.

Area businesses, schools, clubs, families, and individuals worked together to make this project a success.

A special ‘thank you’ goes to the following:

The Nashville Leader for excellent coverage throughout the year

First Baptist Church and staff, Nashville, for the use of the Family Activities Building throughout the year and for National Collection Week

A huge ‘thank you’ to our Mennonite friends who loaded two 18-wheelers with the heavy shipping boxes bound for the Operation Christmas Child Processing Center in Denver, Colorado

Mainstreet Musician Supply – for providing Hohner harmonicas for OCC at their cost,

as well as being an “OCC information center”, providing brochures and information

Jonathan Canaday and the local radio stations

Kortlan for donating shirts

Dollar Generals in Nashville and Waldo for items donated

Tollett’s Gifts for donation of stuffed animals

Walmart for contribution of items for shoe boxes

Walgreen’s for donation of stuffed animals

Sharpe’s Department Store for contributing items

Power Pharmacy for contributing many new items for the OCC garage sale

Several individuals for donating their Beanie Babies collections

Thanks to the many others who contributed financially, to our year-round volunteers who work so faithfully with purchasing, preparing supplies, wrapping shoe boxes, working at garage sales, and working during National Collection Week.

Thanks to the men and young men who so willingly help us with lifting heavy boxes (or anything else that we ask them to lift) all year long

We sincerely appreciate all of you who pray faithfully for Operation Christmas Child.

The boxes are now on their way to blessing the lives of 10,000+ children all over the world, thanks to our area of Southwest Arkansas.  With a grateful heart, I say ‘thank you’ on behalf of the recipients of the shoe boxes.

Blessings to all of you during this Christmas season!

Beverly Starr

Collection Center Coordinator

Nashville, AR