Operation Christmas Child Collection Week is Nov. 18-24, 2019

Christie and Luke Andreae worked together to pack a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child. Submitted.

Operation Christmas Child’s (OCC) nationwide collection week is Nov. 18-24, and an OCC drop-off location will be open at First Baptist Church of Sturgeon Bay, 610 N. Fifth Ave.

Gift-filled shoeboxes will be collected from churches, service groups and individuals throughout the county and surrounding areas. Since 2004, the local OCC drop-off location has collected more than 22,800 shoe boxes.  

“Filling shoeboxes with items kids love is an easy, fun and incredibly meaningful way to show love to children, most of whom have never received a gift before,” said OCC team leader Pamela Parks. “And once you start packing a box or two, you find that it is hard to stop with just a few. We have people who pack two boxes and others who pack hundreds!” 

Items to pack in the shoeboxes include school supplies, toys, clothing, stuffed animals and hygiene items such as bar soap, washcloths and toothbrushes. The shoebox gifts are distributed in more than 100 countries throughout the world. To find out how and what to pack in your shoebox, visit samaritanspurse.org. Drop-off hours are Nov. 18-22, 4-6 pm; and Nov. 23-24, 12-2 pm.