Operation Christmas Child prepares for national gift collection

Operation Christmas Child, an international project led by Samaritan’s Purse, is preparing for its National Collection Week from November 16 to 23. The initiative involves collecting gift-filled shoeboxes containing school supplies and necessities to be delivered to children facing poverty, war, disease, and disaster.

Nearly 5,000 drop-off locations are expected to open across the United States this November. Local efforts include sites in Ironton and Kitts Hill, Ohio, such as First Baptist Church and Union Baptist Church. In other regions, groups like Hillcrest Baptist Church are organizing weekly workshops to meet specific donation goals, such as filling 700 shoeboxes for mid-November mailing.

Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse, stated that the gifts serve as opportunities to share the meaning of Christmas with children in need. Participants can also donate $10 per shoebox online through the ‘Follow Your Box’ program to track the destination of their gift.