More than 4,500 locations in the U.S. are now open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project, including more than a dozen locally. Volunteers are standing by to collect shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, through Monday.
Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys to children worldwide for more than three decades. This year, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach 11 million children.
Individuals, families and groups still have time to transform empty shoeboxes into fun gifts. The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver what volunteers describe as “tangible expressions of God’s love” to children in need. Find a step-by-step guide online at samaritanspurse.org under the “Pack a Shoebox” link.
“This season, children around the world need a tangible reminder that there is hope and that God loves them,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Through these shoebox gifts packed with special items, children also receive the opportunity to hear about the eternal hope found in Jesus Christ.”
Participants can find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation as they make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts. The online lookup tool, accessible by hovering over the “Pack a Shoebox” link on Samaritan’s Purse website, is searchable by city or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop-off.
Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 198 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories, say organizers, adding that this year, Operation Christmas Child expects to collect its 200-millionth shoebox.
Trinity Worship Center, 1807 K Highway, West Plains: 9-11 a.m through Saturday, 4-6 p.m. Sunday and 8-10 a.m. Monday.
First Baptist Church, 202 Walnut St., West Plains: noon to 4 p.m. through Sunday, and 8-10 a.m. Monday.
First Baptist Church, 409 W. U.S. 60, Mtn. View: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. today, 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, 3-6 p.m. Thursday, 3-7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, 2-4 p.m. Sunday and 8-10 a.m. Monday.
CrossWay Fellowship, 220 Drew St., Willow Springs: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through Friday, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, noon to 2 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. to noon Monday.
Thayer First Baptist Church, 112 N. Third St., Thayer: 1-3 p.m. through Thursday, noon to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1-3 p.m. and 6:30-7:30 p.m. Sunday, and 8-10 a.m. Monday.
First Baptist Church, 108 FF Highway, Birch Tree: 5-7 p.m. today, Thursday and Friday; 4:30-6:30 p.m.Wednesday, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, 1-3 p.m. Sunday and 9-11 a.m. Monday.
First Baptist Church, 801 Ozark St., Cabool:, noon to 3 p.m. today, 3-6 p.m.Wednesday, 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, 1-3 p.m. Friday, noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 8-11 a.m. Monday.
First Baptist Church, 807 E. 17th St., Mtn. Grove, 5:30-7:30 p.m. today, 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to noon Thursday and Friday, 9-11 a.m. Saturday, 6-8 p.m. Sunday and 8:30-10:30 a.m. Monday.
Ava Assembly of God, 1004 W. Washington Ave., Ava: 10 a.m. to noon today, 5-7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 2 p.m. Friday, 8-10 a.m. Saturday and 9-11 a.m. Sunday and Monday.
East Side Baptist Church, 626 E. Ninth St., Mtn. Home: 2-4 p.m. through Sunday and 9 a.m. to noon Monday.
Galatia Assembly of God, 16580 Highway 5 South, Norfork: 1-3 p.m. through Friday and on Sunday, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday and 9-11 a.m. Monday.
Viola First Baptist Church, 9333 U.S. 62 West, Viola: 5-7 p.m. today and Thursday; 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday; and 9-11 a.m. Monday.
Belview Baptist Church, 403 Knob Creek Road, Melbourne: 1-3 p.m. through Saturday, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday and 7-9 a.m. Monday.
Village Bible Church, 22 Caxambas Drive, Cherokee Village: 1-3 p.m. through Friday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, 12:30-3 p.m. Sunday and 7-9 a.m. Monday.
