This month four locations in the Lawrence County area will serve as collection sites for Operation Christmas Child — the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. The annual project is a favorite of many Lawrence County residents, families, churches and groups, who help spread joy to millions of children around the world by filling shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and notes of encouragement.

“Anyone can participate. Whether you are young or old, Operation Christmas Child is a fun project that makes a tangible difference in the life of a child facing difficult circumstances,” Vickie Edwards, South Point volunteer, said.

Through local collection points, Lawrence County residents hope to contribute gift-filled shoeboxes to reach the 10-county Southeast Ohio goal of 46,054 and the 2014 global goal of reaching 10 million needy children.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 113 million children in more than 150 countries. For many of these children, a gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. Through simple gifts and a message of hope through Jesus Christ, children learn they are loved and not forgotten.

For more information about how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call Gaylene St. Leger Cox at 330-904-5873 or visit samaritanspurse.org. National Collection Week for gift-filled shoeboxes is Nov. 17-24; however, shoebox gifts are collected all year at the Samaritan’s Purse headquarters in Boone, North Carolina. Participants can also build a shoebox through an online tool offering a personalized and convenient way to send a gift to a child in one of the hardest-to-reach countries.

Using special tracking technology, participants can follow their boxes online and discover the country to which their gifts will be delivered to children in need. To register a shoebox gift, use the online donation form at samaritanspurse.org.

 

Lawrence County collection sites:

Campbell Chapel Church

1709 Campbell Drive, Ironton

606-831-1338

• Monday, Nov. 17, 4-7 p.m.

• Tuesday, Nov. 18, 4-7 p.m.

• Wednesday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Thursday, Nov. 20, 4-7 p.m.

• Friday, Nov. 21, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 22, 4-6 p.m.

• Sunday, Nov. 23, 1-3 p.m.

• Monday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

 

Finley Chapel United Methodist Church

1640 County Road 12, Proctorville

740-886-8103

• Monday, Nov. 17, 5-7 p.m.

• Tuesday, Nov. 18, 5-7 p.m.

• Wednesday, Nov. 19, 5-7 p.m.

• Thursday, Nov. 20, 5-7 p.m.

• Friday, Nov. 21, 5-7 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

• Sunday, Nov. 23, 5-6 p.m.

• Monday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m.-11 a.m.

 

Tri State Worship Center

901 Solida Rd., South Point

740-523-0231

• Monday, Nov. 17, 3-6 p.m.

• Tuesday, Nov. 18, 3-6 p.m.

• Wednesday, Nov. 19, 3-6 p.m.

• Thursday, Nov. 20, 3-6 p.m.

• Friday, Nov. 21, 3-6 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 22, 12-4 p.m.

• Sunday, Nov. 23, 1-6 p.m.

• Monday, Nov. 24, 9-11 a.m.

 

Union Baptist Church

10109 State Route 141, Kitts Hill

740-532-1321

• Monday, Nov. 17, 3-7 p.m.

• Tuesday, Nov. 18, 3-7 p.m.

• Wednesday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Thursday, Nov. 20, 3-7 p.m.

• Friday, Nov. 21, 3-7 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Sunday, Nov. 23, 12:30-6:30 p.m.

• Monday, Nov. 24 8-9 a.m.