Shoe box collection for Operation Christmas Child starts next week

It's not Christmas yet, but it is time for the annual Operation Christmas Child shoe box collection, a project of international relief organization Samaritan's Purse.

Packed with small gifts, hygiene items, school supplies, and a gospel message, the shoeboxes have been sent to more than 220 million children in over 170 countries and territories through the program since 1993.

According to Christine Hainer, Operation Christmas Child area coordinator for Southwestern Pennsylvania, the shoe box may be the only gift the child receives, and she believes they "may have an eternal impact."

Those interested in contributing a shoe box are asked to use a standard-sized shoe box. Include a "wow" item, such as a small stuffed animal or a deflated soccer ball with a pump; arts and crafts items, and hygiene goods (no liquids). If wrapping the box, wrap the lid separately. The suggested donation for shipping the box is $10.

Take the box during the national collection week, Nov. 18 through 25, 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 for hours at each location.

Last year, 11.3 million shoe boxes were collected worldwide; 10 million were from the United States.