More than 4,000 locations will now offer a curbside drop-off option for the Samaritan’s Purse project, Operation Christmas Child. Volunteers are preparing to collect shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, November 16 – 23.
Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts — filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys — to children worldwide for more than two decades. This is a project that everyone can still be a part of, even with COVID-19 restrictions.
There’s still time for individuals, families and groups to transform empty shoeboxes into fun gifts. The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. Find a step-by-step guide on the Operation Christmas Child website at www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.
“In the midst of the pandemic, the needs are greater than ever before,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Children around the world need to know that God loves them and there is hope. A simple shoebox gift opens the door to share about the true hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”
Participants may drop off shoebox donations locally at Milan Baptist Church. Signs at this location will identify the curbside drop-off. All volunteers will be practicing health and safety protocol and will allow a complete curbside drop-off model where you do not even have to exit your vehicle. The drop-off location’s address and hours of operation are:
Milan Baptist Church
1101 Maynardville Hwy.
Maynardville, TN 37807
Monday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. – noon
Monday, Nov. 16, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 19, 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 20, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 21, 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 22, 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m. – noon
More information on how Operation Christmas Child is making adjustments during its National Collection Week is at the organization’s Important COVID-19 Updates webpage (at www.samaritanspurse.org/occ) for the latest information and answers to Frequently Asked Questions.
Anyone can pack a shoebox and any shoebox can be transformed into a gift for a child. Shoeboxes are also available by contacting a representative from the area team: Amie Winstead, Area Coordinator, 865-742-9701 or awinstead.occ@aol.com.
Operation Christmas Child seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 178 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.
Let’s join together and pack a shoebox full of tangible items like hygiene items, school supplies, and fun toys for a great opportunity to make an eternal impact when presented with the gospel message of Jesus Christ.