Operation Christmas Child collection week Nov. 13-20

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief organization headed by Franklin Graham.

It's the world's largest Christmas project of its kind. This unique shoe box project addresses the needs of children in desperate situations.

It's a project that uses simple gift-filled shoe boxes to let hurting children know they're loved and not forgotten. For many of these children, the simple shoe box will be the first gift they have ever received.

This is a project kids, families, schools, churches, and community groups can participate in by packing empty shoeboxes or plastic shoeboxes with simple items most people take for granted, including toothbrush, toys, school supplies, and hygiene items. Items not to be included are candy, toothpaste, war related items, food, liquids, medications, and breakable items.

There is a change in the Drop Off Location this year. All packed shoeboxes are to be dropped off at Family Life Church , 1020 N. Prospect St., in Porterville across the street from Walmart. Shoe boxes can be dropped off at Family Life Church during the National Collection Week from November 13 to 20. The drop off schedule is:

Nov. 13 – Nov. 14: Noon to 4 p.m.; Nov. 15: 9 a.m. To 4 p.m.; Nov. 16 – Nov. 18: Noon to 4 p.m.; Nov 19: Noon to 3 p.m.; Nov. 20: 8 to 10 a.m.

The shoe boxes from the West Coast Region, California, Nevada, Hawaii, will be distributed to Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines and Native American tribes in the U.S.

For further information contact Kathy Chavez, Coordinator, or Diana Perry, Co-coordinator at 559-781-4851 or https://samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmaschild/