INDIANAPOLIS — Several locations in the multi-county Indianapolis area team will serve as drop-off sites for the Samaritan’s Purse project, Operation Christmas Child — joining nearly 5,000 U.S. locations collecting gift-filled shoeboxes for children in need around the world.
During the project’s National Collection Week, Nov. 13 – 20, Indianapolis residents will transform empty shoeboxes into gifts of hope filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys. Operation Christmas Child will deliver these shoebox gifts to children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine.
This year, the Indianapolis area team hopes to contribute more than 44,539 shoebox gifts toward the 2017 global goal of reaching 12 million children. Locations for drop offs include Southport Presbyterian Church, 7525 McFarland Blvd. and Mount Comfort United Methodist Church, 3179 N. 600 W.
For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child or to view gift suggestions, call 937-374-0761 or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Participants can donate $9 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse 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 of encouragement.