Two area groups recently held events to support Samaritan Purse’s Operation Christmas Child. Above, members of the Greater Purpose Team Ministry, a group of six Methodist churches in Denbo, Howe, Fredericktown, Jefferson, Rices Landing and Roscoe, put together 170 Christmas shoeboxes that will be presented to children throughout the world. Pictured are, from left, front row, Frank Huffman, Shirley Huffman, Jane Snyder, Betty Sowden, Sara Christopher, Tammy Analong, Janie Shrum and Joyce Snyder; back row, Jim Howard, Kathy Howard, Renee Sahady, Deb Bowser and Pastor Rick Bowser. Also pictured are students from the religious education classes at St. Hilary Church in Washington. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade, with the help of parishioners, were able to make 105 shoeboxes with toys, games, hats, gloves and hygiene items.