Tuscanooga Baptist Church, located northwest of Groveland, is once again in full swing with its involvement in the Samaritan’s Purse “Operation Christmas Child” shoebox ministry.
Recently, members and volunteers gathered for a packing party, filling shoeboxes with age-appropriate toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and small gifts. Each box also includes a Gospel message, sharing the story of Jesus Christ’s love with children around the world.
The shoeboxes prepared at Tuscanooga are part of a larger nationwide effort. Last year alone, over 29,000 shoeboxeswere collected from the Lake-Sumter County area. These boxes were transported by semi-trucks to the Atlanta Processing Center, which serves the southeastern United States. From there, they began their journeys by boat or plane to more than 100 countries.
Each box contains a Gospel story booklet translated into one of 118 different languages, ensuring every child can understand the message of hope and love it carries. In 2024, 10.5 million shoeboxes were sent from the United States, and since 2009, more than 23.5 million children have made decisions for Christ through this life-changing ministry.
Tuscanooga Baptist Church, located at 18540 Tuscanooga Road in Groveland, serves as one of three Collection Centers in South Lake County. The other local drop-off sites include:
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Oak Tree Baptist Church, 7000 Green Isle Drive, Clermont
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Woodlands Lutheran Church, 15333 CR 455, Montverde
Shoeboxes can be dropped off at these locations during National Collection Week, this week….November 17–24, 2025. Those interested should contact the individual churches. Additional collection centers are also available throughout Lake County.
For more information or to find a nearby location, visit the Samaritan’s Purse website at:
https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations/
If you’re unable to pack a box in person, consider participating through “Build a Box Online”, an easy and meaningful way to share God’s love with a child in need, says Mary Helen Myers, Tuscanooga Baptist Church.
