Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child is again collecting and shoebox gifts and delivering them to children worldwide with help of generous donors. The project has been going on for three decades.

“The project of Samaritan’s Purse partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need,” according to a news release.

Shoebox gifts prepared by donors and filled with toys, personal care items, and school supplies may be dropped off now during National Collection Week, Nov. 13-20, at participating sites. More than 4,500 drop-off locations are now open, including those in southeast Arkansas.

Local sites collecting shoebox gifts through Nov. 20 include:

■ Pine Bluff, Family Church Pine Bluff, 2309 S. Poplar St.

■ Sheridan, True Hope Church, 707 N. Main St.

■ Star City, South Side Missionary Baptist Church, 905 S. Lincoln Ave.

■ Stuttgart, Stuttgart First Baptist Church Activity Center, 2109 S. Columbus St.

■ Dumas, First Baptist Church, 200 E. Waterman St.

■ DeWitt, First Baptist Church, 322 W. First St. Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children this year. This season, there’s still time for individuals, families, and groups to transform empty shoeboxes into fun gifts.

“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.”

For details or other drop-off locations, visit https://samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations/.