Donations are needed to benefit Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child, headquartered in Boone, N. C., is a branch of the international Christian relief organization, Samaritan's Purse.

The charity collects, ships and distributes shoeboxes filled with gifts to impoverished children.

Gift suggestions include toys, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, balls, toys that light up or school supplies.

Operation Christmas Child will collect shoeboxes at over 4,000 sites in all 50 states and Puerto Rico Nov. 17 to 24.

Those who can not get to a drop-off site are encouraged to choose gift items online and Operation Christmas Child volunteers will pack a box.

A check may be en- closed in the shoebox for shipping or donors can create their own shipping label and receive an email with the name of the country where the box was delivered.

To find the nearest drop-off location, go http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop-off-locations.