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For staff and employees at Kovatch Castings, 3743 Tabs Drive in Green, finding Christmas joy is simple--you just gotta give it away. As part of an ongoing effort to demonstrate Christian beliefs and principles, the company has partnered with Operation Christmas Child, a program of the international relief organization, Samaritan's Purse.
Like the Good Samaritan who went out of his way to aide a stranger, the goal of Operation Christmas Child for over 40 years has been to “go and do likewise” by providing needy children in the U.S. and around the world a chance to receive perhaps their only Christmas gift along with a message of hope and love. Gender and age specific gifts are sent and presented in shoe boxes filled with hygiene items, school supplies, candy, toys, clothing and stuffed animals. Some donors even include a photo or a letter, in case the recipient is wanting and able to respond. As a bonus, donors are now able to track where their box will be sent, a tool that is available for the first time since the program was founded by Bob Pierce in 1970. Presently, it is run by Franklin Graham, son of famous evangelist, Billy Graham.
Kovatch Castings is currently in their 10th year as participants with Operation Christmas Child, thanks to Customer Service Representative, Bobbi Canterbury, who initiated the idea after being involved with successful campaigns at her church. Today, it has become something everyone can be excited about. Company employees do the shopping and gift finding while the company provides the $7 shipping fee required for each box. It is a win-win all around, a continuous give and receive cycle.
“I truly believe God has blessed us, so we give back to Him by giving to others,” Canterbury said, “We should help others not only in our community, but where there is need.”
This year, to support the company's goal of sending 400 boxes, seven local dentist offices donated a total of 150 toothbrushes and 170 toothpastes, a gift that allowed the company to use money for other items. Home Depot also donated 50 plastic shoe box totes.
"Every year, our goal is to beat the previous year in number," said company President Doug Kovatch, "I guess next year, we'll have to do better than 500!"
All box gifts were dropped off at a church in Hartville during the week of Nov. 18 and will soon be moved to North Carolina where they will then be disbursed to several destinations. Though the collection period ended on Nov. 22, Kovatch Castings is still by encouraging other companies to give back as well.
"We want to challenge other businesses in this area to take on this challenge next year," Kovatch said, “and if they do, my guess is they will receive back more than they give, as we have!"
To learn more about how you can help with Operation Christmas Child, please visit: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/index.
For staff and employees at Kovatch Castings, 3743 Tabs Drive in Green, finding Christmas joy is simple--you just gotta give it away. As part of an ongoing effort to demonstrate Christian beliefs and principles, the company has partnered with Operation Christmas Child, a program of the international relief organization, Samaritan's Purse.
Like the Good Samaritan who went out of his way to aide a stranger, the goal of Operation Christmas Child for over 40 years has been to “go and do likewise” by providing needy children in the U.S. and around the world a chance to receive perhaps their only Christmas gift along with a message of hope and love. Gender and age specific gifts are sent and presented in shoe boxes filled with hygiene items, school supplies, candy, toys, clothing and stuffed animals. Some donors even include a photo or a letter, in case the recipient is wanting and able to respond. As a bonus, donors are now able to track where their box will be sent, a tool that is available for the first time since the program was founded by Bob Pierce in 1970. Presently, it is run by Franklin Graham, son of famous evangelist, Billy Graham.
Kovatch Castings is currently in their 10th year as participants with Operation Christmas Child, thanks to Customer Service Representative, Bobbi Canterbury, who initiated the idea after being involved with successful campaigns at her church. Today, it has become something everyone can be excited about. Company employees do the shopping and gift finding while the company provides the $7 shipping fee required for each box. It is a win-win all around, a continuous give and receive cycle.
“I truly believe God has blessed us, so we give back to Him by giving to others,” Canterbury said, “We should help others not only in our community, but where there is need.”
This year, to support the company's goal of sending 400 boxes, seven local dentist offices donated a total of 150 toothbrushes and 170 toothpastes, a gift that allowed the company to use money for other items. Home Depot also donated 50 plastic shoe box totes.
"Every year, our goal is to beat the previous year in number," said company President Doug Kovatch, "I guess next year, we'll have to do better than 500!"
All box gifts were dropped off at a church in Hartville during the week of Nov. 18 and will soon be moved to North Carolina where they will then be disbursed to several destinations. Though the collection period ended on Nov. 22, Kovatch Castings is still by encouraging other companies to give back as well.
"We want to challenge other businesses in this area to take on this challenge next year," Kovatch said, “and if they do, my guess is they will receive back more than they give, as we have!"
To learn more about how you can help with Operation Christmas Child, please visit: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/index.
