Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box drop-off locations gear up for national collection week

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A shoebox-packing party was held at McDonald Presbyterian Church. Items for boxes were collected throughout the year and more than 900 boxes were packed.

Courtesy of Michelle Unruh

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McDonald Presbyterian Church held a shoebox-packing party for Operation Christmas Child.

Courtesy of Michelle Unruh, McDonald Presbyterian Church

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Shoebox packing party at Crossroads Ministries in Finleyville last year. This year the packing party will be held Nov. 18.

Courtesy of Crossroads Ministries

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Crossroads Ministries in Finleyville has its lobby set up for members and area residents to pick up a shoebox to fill.

Courtesy of Crossroads Ministries

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The annual shoebox collection project created by international relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, known as Operation Christmas Child, begins its national collection week starting Monday, Nov. 16, to Monday, Nov. 23, at various locations in the area.

Packed with small gifts, hygiene items, school supplies, and the gospel message, the shoeboxes have been sent to more than 244 million children in over 175 countries and territories through the program since 1993.

“How amazing it is that by packing a shoebox filled with gifts can change the hearts of millions of children and their families. What an incredible opportunity we are given to make an eternal difference spreading the love of Jesus to the ends of the earth,” said Christine Hainer, Operation Christmas Child area coordinator for Southwestern Pennsylvania.

If you, your family or group plans to pack a box, a standard-sized shoebox can be used and filled with a hygiene items (no liquids), a small stuffed animal or deflated soccer ball (with a pump), arts and crafts items, socks, T-shirts and designated whether the box is for a girl or boy and the approximate age. Packing instructions can be found on the Operation Christmas Child website. The suggested donation for shipping the box is $10 and when a label is created online, the box can be tracked to its destination.

During the national collection week, shoeboxes can be taken to one of the following area drop-off locations:

Crossroads Ministries, 81 Walter Long Road, Finleyville;

The Bible Chapel, 300 Gallery Drive, McMurray;

Fayette City Alliance Church, 211 Connellsville St.;

McDonald Presbyterian Church, Calvary Center, 202 W. Lincoln Ave.;

South Franklin Community Building, 100 Municipal Road;

St. John’s Union Church, 170 Hecla Road, Mt. Pleasant;

World Christian Outreach Ministries, 109 East End Road, Connellsville;

First Baptist Church, 303 W. High St., Waynesburg;

Calvary Baptist Church, 308 McClellandtown Road, Uniontown.

Hours for each drop-off site vary. Visit https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations/# to check the hours of the locations near you.