Operation Christmas Child sends gifts around the world

Operation Christmas Child's upcoming National Collection Week is Nov. 12-19.

Fox Valley area families, churches and groups are busy transforming empty shoe boxes into fun gifts filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items.

The Samaritan's Purse project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God's love to children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine. For many of these children, it will be the first gift they have ever received.

This year, Fox Valley area residents hope to collect more than 12,743 gifts to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching 11 million children.

"We are honored to be linking arms with our community to help children around the world experience the true meaning of Christmas," said Regional Director Gia Garey Moser. "These simple gifts show God's love to children facing difficult circumstances."

Local collections sites with days and hours:

• Algonquin: Gibbs Residence, 311 Briarwood Lane: 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Friday, Nov. 12, 13 and 16; 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 14-15; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15; noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18; and 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 19.

• Aurora: Warehouse Church, 308 E. Galena Blvd.: 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12; Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, Nov. 13, 14 and 16; 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15; 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18; and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19.

• Crystal Lake: Evangelical Free Church of Crystal Lake, 575 E. Crystal Lake Ave.: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, Nov. 12, 13 and 15; 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Friday, Nov. 14 and 16; 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 17; 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18; and 8 to 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 19.

• Elburn: Lord of Life Church, 40W605 Route 38: 10 a.m. to noon Mondays, Nov. 12 and 19, and Wednesday, Nov. 14; 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, Nov. 13, 15 and 16; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17; and noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18.

• Elgin: Grace Evangelical Church, 1800 Bowes Road: 10 a.m. to noon Monday to Thursday, Nov. 12-15; 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 13-14; noon to 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 17; noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18; and 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 19.

• McHenry: Evangelical Free Church of McHenry, 2614 N. Ringwood Road: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, Nov. 12-14; 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15; 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16; 12:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17-18; and 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Nov. 19.

• St. Charles: Hosanna Lutheran Church, 36W925 Red Gate Road: 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, Thursday, Nov. 15; 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, and Friday, Nov. 16; 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14; and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 17-18.

For additional drop-off locations, visit the drop-off locator online at www.samaritanspurse.org.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (612) 359-7025 or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Participants can donate $9 per shoe box 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 shoe box by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 157 million gift-filled shoe boxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.