TRAVERSE CITY -- Fourteen-year-old Alma Bultsma remembers the very first gift she ever received -- a simple shoebox filled with hair ties, a stuffed animal, a bracelet and a hair brush.
The box, courtesy of Operation Christmas Child, was delivered to Alma in the Kazakhstani orphanage she lived in before being adopted by Craig and Gayle Bultsma, of Traverse City.
"It was really special because I had never received a present before," said Alma, an eighth-grade student at Traverse City Christian School, where she joined with nearly 300 volunteers Saturday packing similar boxes for delivery to children in 100 countries.
Since 1993, more than 61 million Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes have been packed, shipped and delivered to children in desperate situations as part of the international relief effort of Samaritan's Purse Christian ministry. Northern Michigan volunteers packed 10,000 boxes on Saturday in locations including Central Lake, Gaylord, East Jordan, Houghton Lake, Atlanta and Traverse City Christian School.
"The enthusiasm of working on one common project brings a real sense of community for the volunteers," said Suzanne Allen, Operation Christmas Child's volunteer media coordinator, noting that 6,500 boxes would be packed at the Traverse City Christian School location alone.
"People of all ages and all walks of life volunteer their time and also contribute items to be included in the boxes all throughout the year," Allen said.
Pencils, toothbrushes, soap, stuffed animals and crayons along with hand-sewn and knitted items were among the presents included in boxes packed on Saturday, to be distributed along with boxes packed across the nation by Operation Christmas Child volunteers.
"These boxes are going to sensitive countries with items that would be considered appropriate for distribution," said Bonnie Freeman, senior regional director of Samaritan's Purse, who visited Traverse City from Xenia, Ohio.
"The packing parties held here are wonderful," Freeman said, noting that this is just the beginning of the volunteer effort with National Collection Week set for Nov. 16-23.
Individuals who wish to contribute may bring their own box from 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Wednesday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday, to Faith Reformed Church, 1139 E. Front St. in Traverse City. Boxes also can be brought from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, to WLJN radio, 1101 S. Cass St. in Traverse City. Other northern Michigan locations can be found on the Samaritan's Purse Web site at www.samaritanspurse.org.
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