Thank you

To the editor:

I would like to extend a much belated but heartfelt “thank you” to the amazing people of this community, the Leelanau Community Church family, and to all the churches of Leelanau County who helped make 2024 Operation Christmas Child the most successful ever! Together, from this community alone, we were able to collect 1,124 shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items to be sent to needy children around the world! A simple gift to let children know that God loves them. Many of these children have never received a gift in their lives.

According to officials with Samaritan’s Purse, 10.5 million shoebox gifts were collected throughout the United States in 2024. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2024, the ministry is now sending over 11.9 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide. We are so proud to be a part of this worldwide effort to reach children in over 100 countries, including our own.

Thank you to everyone who filled a shoebox, the churches who continue to support this incredible ministry, the lovely seniors who gave such generous donations at our Harvest Dinner and helped to fill 240 shoeboxes just through their donations! You’re awesome! But a very special thank you to the incredible people of Leelanau Community Church who have caught the vision and understand that it’s all about the children. Thank you and let’s work together to fill even more shoeboxes in 2025!

Rev. Lucy A Schaub Lake Leelanau MI 49653