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Volunteers are preparing to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov. 18-25. More than 4,700 drop-off locations will open across the country in November, and shoebox packers can find their local drop-off locations nearest them. 

Southside Baptist Church serves as a Greenville drop-off place, one of many across Alabama. In 2023, Operation Christmas Child collected 11 million shoeboxes. The Camellia Al Area Team, which consists of Butler, Conecuh, Escambia and Monroe counties collected 8,846 shoeboxes in 2023. This year Operation Christmas Child will celebrate its 31st year of the ministry and hopes to reach 12 million children with the Gospel of Jesus. Camellia AL Area Team has a goal of 9,800 shoeboxes for this year. 

“Children need hope, and they need to know that they are not alone and God loves them,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Gift-filled shoeboxes open the door for us to share the hope of the Gospel with boys and girls around the world. Please pray that these simple gifts have an eternal impact.” 

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and together with the local church worldwide share the Good News of Jesus Christ and make disciples of the nations. Operation Christmas Child collects shoebox gifts filled with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items for children. These boxes are then delivered to children in need around the world. For many of these children, the shoebox is the first gift they have ever received. 

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest children’s ministry, has collected and delivered more than 220 million shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. Anyone can pack a shoebox. Shoeboxes are filled with items such as a soccer ball (deflated) and pump, a doll, medium/large stuffed animals, and smaller fun toys. School supplies and hygiene items are also suggested. Shoebox packing is fun for individuals, families, and groups. 

For more information, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through the “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse www.samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note. 

Participants can find the nearest drop-off location and hours of operation as they make plans to drop off their shoebox gifts. The online lookup tool is searchable by City or ZIP code. Signs at each location will identify the drop-off. 

Southside Baptist Church, located at 211 King Street in Greenville, will receive shoeboxes Nov. 18 – 25.

* Monday, Nov. 18: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

* Tuesday, Nov. 19: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

* Wednesday, Nov. 20: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

* Thursday, Nov. 21: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.

* Friday, Nov. 22: 12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

* Saturday, Nov. 23: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

* Sunday, Nov. 24: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

* Monday, Nov. 25: 7 a.m. – 9 a.m.