The Baker OCC Project received 116 shoeboxes (record-setting!) filled with amazing gifts and lots of love. When we quickly checked boxes with sparkly fun jewelry, plastic dinosaurs, hair clips, and Play Doh - or boxes with toy trucks, mini footballs, and jump ropes - all the shirts, socks, crayons, toothbrushes - we could not help but imagine the enthusiasm of the packers in carefully selecting the treasures to include. Now imagine a child living with barely enough necessities receiving stuffed ponies, yo- yo’s, Slinkys, and flip-flops! Thank you to the Hands & Hearts shoebox elves, to the Baker Youth Group with Lisa Doutt, Pastor John and Bill Kopp, to Karen Baker and MaryAnn Kopp - our drivers to the drop off location, to those who packed boxes gave money and shared stories. And thank you to Molly and Nora, who shared their joy! As in our own lives, Christmas excitement fades. Let us pray that God will fan that spark of hope in the children who receive the shoeboxes. Help them to know they are special and loved. Pray that the teachings about Jesus that they also receive will set them on the path to seeking His joy and peace that never fades. Thank you, Baker friends, for your generosity and great good cheer. A blessed Christmas to all from Connie Tsujimoto and Lynn Nowak.
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