Central, western Maine churches taking part in Box of Joy project

PORTLAND – Churches in Skowhegan, Madison, Norway, Mechanic Falls, Bridgton and Fryeburg are among those participating in the Box of Joy initiative this year.
Individuals may pick up boxes and fill them woth toys and other gifts and return them to participating churches by Thursday, Nov. 10. The boxes are then shipped to children in need in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala to spread joy and mercy at Christmas.
A list of recommended items, as well as guidelines and dos and don’ts can be found at crosscatholic.org/boxofjoy. Participants are also asked to include a $9 check made out to Cross Catholic Outreach to cover the shipping costs (please don’t put in the box!).
Local participating churches are:
Christ the King Parish, with collection sites at Notre Dame de Lourdes Church, 273 Water St., Skowhegan; St. Peter Church, 27 Owens St., Bingham; St. Sebastian Church, 161 Main St., Madison.
St. Teresa of Calcutta Parish at St. Catherine of Sienna Church, 32 Parish St., Norway, and Our Lady of Ransom Church, 117 Elm St., Mechanic Falls.
St. Joseph Parish, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 857 Main St., Fryeburg, and St. Joseph Church, 225 South High St., Bridgton.
For more information about the history and impact of the Box of Joy initiative, visit rosscatholic.org/box-of-joy.