11.9M gifts in shoeboxes
With the overwhelming generosity of the people of Murphy, Marble and Cherokee County, western North Carolina (the seven counties west of Asheville) helped provide joy to 22,789 children through Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts this season.
Across the United States, the Samaritan’s Purse project collected 10.5 million shoebox gifts in 2024. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2024, the ministry is sending more than 11.9 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide.
We also want to thank and recognize the employees of Mountain Credit Union for their generous donation of $1,150 to be applied to the distribution costs of shoeboxes. Manager Cody Rodgers presented the check to area team coordinator June Trull during Collection Week. These funds will help in the distribution process of more than 100 gift-filled shoeboxes.
Shoebox packers brought joy and hope to children around the world through fun, full, personalized shoebox gifts. For many children, this is the first gift they have ever received.
Each shoebox gift is a tangible expression of God’s love, given to children in need around the world.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 232 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.
Across North Carolina, shoebox packers often shop for deals on items throughout the year, and many serve at a deeper level by becoming a year-round volunteer.
Information about ways area participants can get involved year-round can also be found at samaritanspurse.org/occ .
Although local drop‑off locations for shoebox gifts are closed until Nov. 17-24, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks at samaritanspurse.org/buildonline.
These simple shoebox gifts, packed with love, remind children around the world that they are loved and not forgotten.
Brenda Hackett, Boone
The writer is Samaritan’s Purse media relations coordinator for the western North Carolina team of Operation Christmas Child.
Ukraine is real victim
Ukraine is the victim. Facts prove Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine. I agree that the United States cannot continue to indefinitely support Ukraine’s defense efforts. but we cannot abandon them, either.
Ukraine is a sovereign nation with borders and lands that are as sacrosanct as those in the United States. They have the right to rule themselves and feel secure from future aggression.
U.S. President Donald Trump strives to be an autocratic “king.” We have two “checks” for that – the legislature (Congress and the Senate) and the judiciary branch. Our legislative branch has been ineffectual for a long time. Our legislators were elected by the people. They serve the people, not a “king.”
Being a politician is a calling to serve the community and serve those who cannot serve themselves. Politicians do not always agree, but here is where civil discourse comes in. We talk, and we listen. We find areas of common ground. We make compromises and we resolve issues, and start all over again.
It is not easy to “speak truth to power” when the power is the president. Your “loyalty” is to the American people, not to a party.
When inaccuracies are put out, correct them. When bad ideas are put out, reign them in. Control the rhetoric. When lies (alternative facts) are put forth as truth, stand up for what is right and honorable. Whatever the truth is, accept it. Like a house built on sand, a lie will eventually crumble and fall.
Democracy does not work without us, the people.
Trump has had 30-plus days in office. As citizens, be vigilant, be thoughtful, be respectful, and be deliberate in what you say and do. Be informed. Speak up. Speak out. Fear of speaking out is the beginning of fascism.
We are a democracy, and we have the ballot box.
Lisa Scott, Andrews
Rich & poor man parable
There were two men on a certain planet. One was rich and powerful; the other was poor and without power.
The rich man ruled a large country, which prided itself on its wealth, military power and democracy. This country called itself a “nation under God.”
The poorer man ruled a small country that was also a democracy – a country that was suddenly and viciously attacked by a large neighboring country. Its citizens suffered the loss of many lives, cities and valuable resources. It even lost territory and access to its most valuable port.
Some other smaller countries came to its aid with what they could.
The rich country helped for a little while, then demanded money and its most valuable resources in exchange for the rich man to work toward stopping the war. But the little country had nothing to give, except its most prized natural resources.
“Too bad,” the rich man said. “I have the winning cards in this hand, and you don’t hold any cards.”
“We aren’t playing cards,” the poorer man said, reminding the other that he was asking for help in bringing peace to his country and the entire planet.
“I don’t like your attitude,” the powerful man said to the poorer man from the little country. “If you want peace, you must pay now! Or else …”
One day a prophet, a person sent with a message from God, visited the rich man in the large country. The prophet reminded the rich man that the Lord had protected him from an assassin’s bullet just a few months before.
“Why do you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in his eyes?”
“I don’t like your attitude,” the powerful man said to the prophet. “This meeting is over.”
What will happen next?
Read 2 Samuel 12 to see what happened in a similar situation. Then read Psalm 51 to see what the powerful man in the Samuel story asked God to do.
May God help us to strive to live “shalom,” which just might lead to saving the entire planet.
Martha Lane, Murphy
U.S. changes sides in war
President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance just changed sides for us in the war Vladimir Putin of Russia started when he invaded Ukraine.
My father and his generation defended America in World War II, so now Donald Trump, the man you voted for or were too busy to vote against, just handed over Ukraine to Putin. My grandson’s life is sustained this moment by Medicaid, which Trump is cutting by $880 billion. You or your parents or grandparents’ Medicare and Social Security are on the chopping block. Billionaires are ruling our lives.
I am angry that enough Americans could not protect my grandson, my generation and yourselves. God save us and America.
Joan Tidwell, Arden