At Belmont Community Church in Johnstown, dedicated volunteers are working tirelessly this week to gather thousands of gift-filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.

This longstanding initiative aims to deliver toys, school supplies, and hygiene items to children in need worldwide.

Earlier this fall, the church packed hundreds of boxes, and on Monday alone, they collected over 1,200 additional boxes from local congregations and community members.

Volunteers carefully sort, count, and load each donation into cartons destined for overseas shipment.

Beverly Hofecker, co-leader of the Johnstown area drop-off location, shared a touching story: "We had one that came from an orphanage, where 20 boys shared one towel. And he got a washcloth in his box and he was so thrilled that he had his own towel to dry with. I mean, it's little things like that that we take for granted."

Teams will continue to receive boxes throughout the week before loading them onto U-Hauls on Sunday for transport to larger processing centers in Baltimore and Charlotte.

From there, the gifts will be distributed to more than 170 countries.

Organizers highlight the impact of each box, noting that it can touch up to ten people and often delivers a child's very first gift.

In addition to their involvement with Operation Christmas Child, Belmont Community Church is actively engaged in various community outreach programs.

They support local groups such as the Roanoke Area Ministries and the Rescue Mission, and host events like the annual Soup and Bake Sale to raise funds for their 75th Anniversary Celebration in August 2026.

For those interested in contributing to Operation Christmas Child, the church is accepting donations and volunteers throughout the week.

For more information, contact the church office at 814-266-3964.

As the holiday season approaches, the efforts of Belmont Community Church and its volunteers serve as a reminder of the power of community and the joy of giving.

Through their dedication, thousands of children around the world will experience the warmth and generosity of the Johnstown community.

Read More