JCSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BRINGS CHEER THROUGH OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

JCSU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL BRINGS CHEER THROUGH OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

Lady Golden Bulls thinking of others during the holidays

December 15, 2010

Charlotte, NC – The Johnson C. Smith University women’s basketball team participating in the Samaritan’s Purse-Operation Christmas Child project for the month of December.

The players and coaches bought gifts to fill 18 boxes filled with toys, school supplies, hygiene items, candy, etc. Last year 8 million children received shoe boxes and the Lady Golden Bulls were excited to be a part of the event this year. Samaritan's Purse is a non-denominational evangelical Christian humanitarian organization that works worldwide to assist people in physical need alongside their Christian missionary work. The organization’s president is Franklin Graham, son of Christian evangelist Billy Graham. The name of the organization is based on the New Testament Parable of the Good Samaritan, in which Jesus uses a parable to teach people the Great Commandment - how to "love thy neighbour as thyself".

Samaritan’s Purse works in more than 100 countries around the world. International headquarters are in Boone, North Carolina, with additional U.S. facilities in Charlotte and North Wilkesboro, N.C. Affiliate offices are in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Hong Kong, Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Field offices are located in some 20 countries across five continents.

“This is an awesome organization and we’re proud to represent Johnson C. Smith University and the department of athletics through this effort to contribute to those who might be less fortunate during the holiday season,” said head women’s basketball coach Vanessa Taylor.

The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.