{"id":120509,"date":"2020-06-17T16:09:05","date_gmt":"2020-06-17T20:09:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/?p=120509"},"modified":"2021-12-16T09:51:04","modified_gmt":"2021-12-16T14:51:04","slug":"covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/es\/operation-christmas-child\/covid-19\/","title":{"rendered":"Operation Christmas Child Covid-19 Important Updates"},"content":{"rendered":"<!-- ===================  OCC COVID RESOURCE PAGE ======================= -->\r\n<link href=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/css\/occ-styles.css\" rel=\"stylesheet\">\r\n<!--Page Title\r\n\t------------------------------------>\r\n<div class=\"title-container\" id=\"backtotop\">\r\n\t<div class=\"title-container-logo\">\r\n\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s3.theark.cloud\/sp-comm-arkfiles\/website\/images\/occ\/logo\/occ-logo-color.svg\" alt=\"\" \/>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"title-container-content\">\r\n\t\t<h1>Important COVID-19 Updates<\/h1>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<!--Section 2 Content\r\n\t------------------------------------>\r\n<div id=\"section2-container\">\r\n\t<!--<div class=\"content-box\">\r\n\t\t<h1>Subhead<\/h1>\r\n\t\t<\/div>-->\r\n\t<div class=\"content-box\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"page-update\">\r\n\t\t\t<p>Page Last Updated: November 10, 2021<\/p>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"content-100\">\r\n\t\t\t<p>The COVID-19 global pandemic has disrupted everyday life for millions of people around the world. Yet, Samaritan's Purse continues to share the eternal hope of the Gospel and to serve in Jesus' Name.<\/p>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"content-100\">\r\n\t\t\t<div class=\"quick-link-box\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<h4>Contents:<\/h4>\r\n\t\t\t\t<p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#packing\">Shoebox Packing<\/a><br \/>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#drop-off\">Drop-off Locations<\/a><br \/>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#process\">Processing Centers<\/a><br \/>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- <a href=\"#resources\">Digital Resources<\/a><br \/> -->\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- <a href=\"#faq\">FAQs<\/a><br \/>-->\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<!-- <a href=\"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/operation-christmas-child\/occ-newsroom\/\">Media Resources<\/a><br \/> -->\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"content-100\">\r\n\t\t\t<p>We want boys and girls around the world to know that God loves them and has not forgotten them during this time of fear and uncertainty. Children need great joy now more than ever. Most of all, they need the hope found only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<p>Will you partner with us to share that glorious hope with boys and girls around the world&mdash;many of whom have never heard the Name of Jesus?<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<p>We're in the midst of a great Operation Christmas Child season. We continue to monitor local, state, and national guidelines and make adjustments to help protect the health of those involved in preparing shoebox gifts.<\/p>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div id=\"packing\"><\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"content-box\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"content-100\">\r\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/spweb-uploads.s3.theark.cloud\/2020\/07\/PPSB_BASBO_Banner_2-1.png\" alt=\"\" \/>\r\n\t\t\t<h2>Shoebox Packing: Traditional and Online<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t<p>We still encourage you to prayerfully <a href=\"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/operation-christmas-child\/pack-a-shoe-box\/\">pack shoeboxes<\/a> full of toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children in need around the world. If, however, getting out to a store is difficult for you due to the pandemic, consider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/operation-christmas-child\/buildonline\/\">building a shoebox online<\/a>! You can still select the items you want to include in your box and personalize it with a note and photo. Last year, many people chose to <a href=\"https:\/\/build-a-shoebox.samaritanspurse.org\/goal\/\">create a goal page<\/a> to encourage others in their church or group to build shoeboxes online, too! Many of these shoeboxes are delivered to hard-to-reach areas to share the Good News in a culturally sensitive way.<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<div style=\"margin-bottom: 25px;\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"\/operation-christmas-child\/buildonline\/\"><button>Start Building!<\/button><\/a>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<p>Check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/operation-christmas-child\/ideas-group-resources\/\">digital resources<\/a> for churches and groups!<\/p>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t<div id=\"drop-off\"><\/div>\r\n\t<!-- ===================  DROP OFF LOCATIONS INFO ======================= -->\r\n\t<div class=\"content-box\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"content-100\">\r\n\t\t\t<h2>Drop-off Locations<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t<p>\r\n\t\t\t\tSamaritan's Purse plans to collect shoebox gifts in over 4,500 locations across the U.S. this year, with each one offering a curbside drop-off option. \r\n\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<h3>Find a Location Near You<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t<p>\r\n\t\t\t\tSearch for the drop-off location nearest you after mid-October using our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/operation-christmas-child\/drop-off-locations\/\">drop-off locator<\/a>. Don't forget to check back on that page just before National Collection Week (Nov. 15-22) for the latest information and locations.  \r\n\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<h3>What to Expect When Dropping Off Shoeboxes<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t<p>\r\n\t\t\t\tWhen you arrive at your drop-off location, follow the signs for curbside drop off. A volunteer will greet you and direct you to an outside area where they will retrieve your shoeboxes. Volunteers will also present you with a touchless way to leave your contact information and the number of shoeboxes that you are dropping off.\r\n\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div id=\"process\"><\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t<!-- ===================  END DROP OFF LOCATIONS INFO ======================= -->\t\r\n\t<!-- ===================  BEGIN PROCESSING CENTER INFO ======================= -->\r\n\t<div class=\"content-box\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"content-100\">\r\n\t\t\t<h2>Processing Centers<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t<p>\r\n\t\t\t\tSamaritan's Purse is again processing shoebox gifts at different locations across the U.S. Volunteer registration for these processing centers opens to the public on Sept. 29. If you register to serve, we will communicate with you regularly via email regarding the modifications being made to prepare for your visit.\r\n\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<h3>General Processing Center Guidelines<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t<div><strong>Before you arrive:<\/strong><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<ul>\r\n\t\t\t\t<li>Before your service date, everyone in your group should be free of COVID-19 related symptoms for 14 days and should not have been exposed to anyone that is known positive for COVID-19 during that same time period. If you or someone in your group has symptoms, please do not come.<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t<li>We also ask that you and each member of your group check your temperature before traveling to the processing center.<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t<li>Please have everyone in your group complete an online volunteer waiver prior to arriving or bring a hard copy of a completed waiver to the processing center.  This will expedite your process upon arrival and prevent unneeded risks when completing the waivers on-site.<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\r\n\t\t\t<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<div><strong>At the Processing Center:<\/strong><\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<ul>\r\n\t\t\t\t<li>Masks and gloves will be available at the entrance of each Processing Center.<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t<li>Hand sanitizer stations will be placed throughout the facilities.<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t<li>Designated staff will clean and sanitize the properties frequently.<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t<li>Our adapted processing procedures will allow volunteers and staff to social distance while serving.<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t<li>Volunteer group leaders will receive additional information regarding how to prepare for COVID-19 modifications prior to arrival.<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t<li>Procedures may be customized per processing center based on local guidelines and restrictions.<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t<li>There will be a Gear Store on-site this year! Please note that the Gear Store will be credit\/debit card only and unable to accept cash or checks.<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\r\n\t\t\t<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<h3>Specific Processing Center Guidelines<\/h3>\r\n\t\t\t<p>\r\n\t\t\t\tSamaritan's Purse is following state and local COVID-19 requirements for each Processing Center location. You can find more information for specific locations below. Please check back here for any updates closer to the time you will be volunteering.   \r\n\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t<ul>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t<li><strong>Boone, North Carolina:<\/strong> Masks optional.<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t<li><strong>Charlotte:<\/strong> Masks required. Face shields are an acceptable alternative only if a volunteer should not wear a mask due to any medical or behavioral condition or disability.<\/li>\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/ul>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t<!-- ===================  END PROCESSING CENTER INFO ======================= -->\t\r\n<\/div>\r\n<!-- ===================  BEGIN FAQ SECTION ======================= -->\r\n<!-- \r\n\t<div id=\"covid-faq\" class=\"content-box\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"content-100\">\r\n\t\t\t<h2>Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t<div id=\"faq-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"faq-content\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[expand title=\"National Collection Week is over. Can I still pack a shoebox?\"]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"answer-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes, you can. Please <a class=\"text-hover\" href=\"\/operation-christmas-child\/buildonline\/\">Build a Shoebox&nbsp;Online.<\/a>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[\/expand]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[expand title=\"We may not be able to host a packing party at our church, impacting the number of boxes we plan to pack. Any suggestions?\"]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"answer-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We strongly encourage packing parties to follow local government guidelines. If your church or group shoebox goal is impacted by COVID-19, you may want to consider <a class=\"text-hover\" href=\"\/operation-christmas-child\/buildonline\/\">Build a Shoebox&nbsp;online<\/a>.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[\/expand]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[expand title=\"What adjustments will be made to drop-off locations to ensure safe collection?\"]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"answer-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>With nearly 5,000 drop-off locations planned in 2020, we understand that each community, county, and state may be at a different phase of COVID-19 recovery during National Collection Week. Samaritan's Purse is developing resources and procedures for drop-off locations to customize their collection to ensure the safety and well-being of both donors and volunteers. This may include providing required personal protective equipment to developing procedures for a touch-free experience for&nbsp;donors. \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[\/expand]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[expand title=\"Will the Processing Centers be operating differently due to COVID-19?\"]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"answer-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Samaritan's Purse has started the processing season with staff and volunteers, making needed modifications to conform with local, state, and federal guidelines. As we continue to monitor disease trends, we are also developing contingency plans to ensure shoeboxes are processed. Personal protective equipment will be readily available and more intensive cleaning protocols will be in place for all Processing Centers in 2020. We encourage you to check this page for the latest information.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[\/expand]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[expand title=\"Is Operation Christmas Child still moving forward with ministry overseas with coronavirus, or is it impacting the efforts of Operation Christmas Child?\"]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"answer-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We are continuing ministry overseas. Operation Christmas Child is working directly with our international volunteer leadership teams in over 100 countries to assess ongoing ministry activity with some modifications according to local government guidelines.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[\/expand]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[expand title=\"Does Operation Christmas Child need these boxes?\"]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"answer-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Yes! Now more than ever, children need to have the reassurance that they are loved by God. We believe in the urgency of reaching communities with the eternal hope of the Gospel, especially in these uncertain times. Shoebox gifts\u2014and our follow-up discipleship program, The Greatest Journey\u2014are powerful tools to share this Good News with millions of people around the&nbsp;world. \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[\/expand]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[expand title=\"If we can't gather, why would kids be gathering?\"]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"answer-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The health and safety of our staff, local partners, and beneficiaries is of utmost importance to us. Samaritan's Purse is constantly monitoring COVID-19 trends around the world. In addition, Operation Christmas Child is working directly with our international volunteer leadership teams in over 100 countries to assess ongoing ministry activity with some modifications according to local government guidelines. \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[\/expand]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[expand title=\"Should participants be shopping for shoebox items during this time?\"]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"answer-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Samaritan's Purse and the Operation Christmas Child team encourages everyone to follow local guidelines and use personal discernment to shop for shoebox items. Many stores are opening around the country and online shopping is a popular method for participants.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[\/expand]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[expand title=\"What's the best way to get updates?\"]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"answer-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The best way to stay informed is to stay current on our social media channels and to continue checking this&nbsp;page.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[\/expand]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[expand title=\"Does the virus change what we can or should pack this year?\"]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"answer-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>At this time there are no changes as to what can and can't be packed in shoebox gifts this year. We encourage you to continue visiting this page for the latest&nbsp;updates.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[\/expand]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[expand title=\"Can I volunteer in the processing center if I have a written order from a physician stating I don't have to wear a face covering?\"]\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"answer-container\">\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We seek to set a standard of care in this unique season and ask volunteers to adhere to the same. Volunteers will be required to wear a face covering while in the processing center. Masks will be available onsite for those who do not have one. Samaritan's Purse has established the guidelines for processing this season, and a physician's order will not be&nbsp;permitted.\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t[\/expand]\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t\r\n\t-->\r\n<!-- ===================  END FAQ SECTION ======================= -->\r\n<!--MORE SECTION\r\n\t------------------------------------>\r\n<div class=\"more-container\">\r\n\t<div class=\"more-content\">\r\n\t\t<h1>Helpful Links<\/h1>\r\n\t\t<p>\r\n\t\t\t<a class=\"text-hover\" href=\"\/operation-christmas-child\/pack-a-shoe-box\/\">How to Pack a Shoebox<\/a><br \/>\r\n\t\t\t<a class=\"text-hover\" href=\"\/operation-christmas-child\/project-leader\/\">Lead Your Church\/Group<\/a><br \/>\r\n\t\t\t<a class=\"text-hover\" href=\"\/operation-christmas-child\/ways-to-volunteer\/\">Volunteer<\/a><br \/>\r\n\t\t\t<a class=\"text-hover\" href=\"\/operation-christmas-child\/local-events-and-offices\/\">Local Events & Offices<\/a><br \/>\r\n\t\t\t<a class=\"text-hover\" href=\"\/operation-christmas-child\/ways-to-give\/\">Ways to Give<\/a><br \/>\r\n\t\t\t<a class=\"text-hover\" href=\"\/operation-christmas-child\/frequently-asked-questions\/\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><br \/>\r\n\t\t<\/p>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t<div id=\"questions-text\">\r\n\t\t<p>Have questions or suggestions? Email <a class=\"text-hover\" href=\"mailto:occinfo@samaritan.org\">occinfo@samaritan.org<\/a><\/p>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Important COVID-19 Updates Page Last Updated: November 10, 2021 The COVID-19 global pandemic has disrupted everyday life for millions of people around the world. Yet, Samaritan's Purse continues to share the eternal hope of the Gospel and to serve in Jesus' Name. Contents: Shoebox Packing Drop-off Locations Processing Centers We want boys and girls around [&hellip","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":99825,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-120509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-operation-christmas-child","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120509","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=120509"}],"version-history":[{"count":16,"href":"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120509\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":201539,"href":"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/120509\/revisions\/201539"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/99825"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=120509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=120509"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.samaritanspurse.org\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=120509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}