Despite recent storms, volunteers are still preparing to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, from Monday, November 18, through Monday, November 25. More than 4,700 drop-off locations will open across the country, and shoebox packers can find their local drop-off locations nearest to them.
For over three decades, Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, has been collecting and delivering gift-filled shoeboxes to children, including many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster. These shoebox gifts, packed with fun toys, school supplies and personal care items, bring joy and hope to children who may have never received a gift of their own. Operation Christmas Child hopes to reach another 12 million children in 2024 with the hope of Jesus.
Shoebox packing is fun for individuals, families and groups. Find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage. The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through ‘Follow Your Box’ and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.
“Children need hope, and they need to know that they are not alone and God loves them,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Gift-filled shoeboxes open the door for us to share the hope of the gospel with boys and girls around the world. Please pray that these simple gifts have an eternal impact.”
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 is searchable by city or ZIP code and will help those searching for the nearest drop-off point, especially in areas affected by recent storms. Signs at each location will identify the drop-off.
Local locations include Redeemer Church at 12404 Boyette Rd. in Riverview, Calvary Chapel Brandon at 1331 Kingsway Rd. in Brandon, First Baptist Church of Dover at 3223 Gallagher Rd. in Dover and more.
Operation Christmas Child seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with local churches worldwide, to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.
For more information, including how to pack a shoebox, gift suggestions, other drop-off locations and more, visit https://samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/.
