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Local volunteers join Samaritan's Purse to collect shoebox gifts for kids

Elgin, IL - This month, locations in the Fox Valley area will serve as collection sites for Operation Christmas Child - the world's largest Christmas project of its kind. The annual Samaritan's Purse project is a favorite of many local residents, families, churches and groups who spread joy to millions of children around the world by filling shoeboxes with a "Wow!" item - like a doll or soccer ball - other fun toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement.

"Through the simple act of filling a shoebox, someone in Elgin can make a tangible difference in the life of a child halfway around the world. Anyone can participate and bring joy to a child facing difficult circumstances," said Regional Director Nicole Sheldon.

During National Collection Week, Nov. 16-23, local residents hope to contribute more than 124,600 gift-filled shoeboxes from surrounding counties to the 2015 global goal of reaching 11 million children in need.

Local collection sites:

• Elgin: Grace Evangelical Church, 1800 Bowes Road, from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Nov. 16 and Thursday, Nov. 19; 10 a.m. to noon and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 17-18; noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 21; 12:30 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22; and 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23.

• Geneva: Rejoice Lutheran Church, 0N377 N. Mill Creek Drive, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16; 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19; 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22; and 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Nov. 23.

• St. Charles: Hosanna Lutheran Church, 39W925 Red Gate Road, from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday and Thursday, Nov. 16 and 19; 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17; 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18; 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20; noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21; 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22; and 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23.

• West Chicago: Water's Edge Bible Church, 209 S. Oakwood Ave., from 1 to 3 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, Nov. 16, 18 and 22; 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Friday, Nov. 17 and 20; 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21; and noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23. Hours subject to change. A full list of area collection locations can be found online.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 124 million children in more than 150 countries and territories. For many of these children, a gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.

For more information about how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (612) 359-7025. With a computer or mobile device, anyone can conveniently pack a personalized Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift on the Samaritan's Purse website. Go to samaritanspurse.org/occ to select toys and gift items, write a note of encouragement and "pack" them in a shoebox. These gifts of hope will go to children in some of the hardest-to-reach countries.

Using special tracking technology, participants can follow their box to discover where in the world their gift is delivered by using the donation form found at samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 124 million children in more than 150 countries and territories. Courtesy of Samaritan's Purse
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