SHOEBOXES

The Lehigh Valley is among 5,000 U.S. drop-off locations collecting shoebox gifts for children overseas during Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week, Nov. 18-25.

The Samaritan’s Purse project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine.

Volunteers want to collect more than 44,137 gifts to contribute to the 2019 global goal of reaching 11 million children.

Collection sites include: Grace Community Church, 7343 Gun Club Road, New Tripoli; Evangelical Fellowship Church, 527 N. St. Lucas St., Allentown; and Bethany United Methodist Church, 1208 Brookside Road, Allentown.

For additional drop-off locations and hours, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 410-772-7360.

Participants can donate a small fee per shoebox 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 shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.