Shoebox recipient to speak at upcoming dinner
Mariya Tatarin will speak at the annual Ohio East Operation Christmas Child Celebration Dinner at Carlisle Inn in Walnut Creek.
Since 2013 the local area, through Operation Christmas Child, has packed and shipped over a quarter of a million — 265,643 to be exact — shoeboxes to children around the world.
Mariya Tatarin was a shoebox recipient from Ukraine. When the Soviet Union fell, Ukraine faced dire financial times. Her Christian parents worked hard but struggled to provide for their family of eight. Yet when they least expected it, Tatarin found gift items her family needed and art supplies that fueled her creativity inside a shoebox. Her family moved to the U.S. when she was 12 years old, and three years later, she recognized the red and green shoeboxes when her youth group participated in Operation Christmas Child together.
Come hear how God used a shoebox gift in a special way in her life at the annual Ohio East Operation Christmas Child Celebration Dinner at Carlisle Inn in Walnut Creek on Saturday, Sept. 24. There are two times to choose from, noon and 6 p.m. and it is open to everyone. Seating is limited, and reservations are necessary by Sept. 17 by calling Loretta Diveley at 330-874-2351 or Bev Troyer at 330-763-1826. Donations will be accepted for the event’s expenses. Additional money received will be given to Operation Christmas Child for "The Greatest Journey."
During National Collection Week Nov. 14-21, Samaritan’s Purse will collect gift-filled shoeboxes at more than 4,000 drop-off sites in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. For more information call Lynette Mahaffey, OCC area coordinator, at 330-204-7244.
Operation Christmas Child is a project of the international Christian relief and evangelism organization, Samaritan’s Purse.