NEWS BRIEFS

From Monday through Nov. 19, volunteers throughout central Arkansas will collect donations for Operation Christmas Child, a nonprofit that collects gifts of shoe boxes filled with small toys, school supplies and hygiene items for those in need worldwide.

Immanuel Baptist Church, 501 N. Shackleford Road in Little Rock, will collect items from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday, and from noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 17-18; and Park Hill Baptist Church ,201 E. C St. in North Little Rock, will accept donated items from 2-6 p.m. through Friday, from 2-5 p.m. Nov. 17-18, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 19. First Baptist Church of Maumelle, 100 Valencia Drive in Maumelle, will also collect items for the drive; contact the church at (501) 851-3547 for collection times.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, contact (615) 962-7145 or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.