(Statewide) – Volunteers are preparing to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, November 16-23.
Nearly 5,000 drop-off locations will open around the country in November, and shoebox packers can find their local drop-off locations across Indiana.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering gift-filled shoeboxes to children including many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster.
Operation Christmas Child hopes to reach 12.8 million children in 2026.
It is an initiative of Samaritan’s Purse.
Organizers say shoebox packing is fun for individuals, families and groups. You can find a step-by-step guide on the How to Pack a Shoebox webpage.
The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these items to children in need.
Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.
“Shoebox gifts may seem simple, but they have an eternal impact. Each box is an opportunity to tell a boy or girl in need about the true meaning of Christmas,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “I’ve delivered these boxes around the world, and I never get tired of seeing the joy that they bring—even in the midst of disasters, war, and poverty.”
Local drop-off locations and hours are:
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Milan
- Mon., Nov. 16 – 4-6 p.m.
- Tues., Nov. 17 – 4-6 p.m.
- Wed., Nov. 18 – 3-5 p.m.
- Thu., Nov. 19 – 10 a.m-12 p.m.
- Fri., Nov. 20 – 5-7 p.m.
- Sat., Nov. 21 – 8-10 a.m.
- Sun., Nov. 22 – 12:30-2:30 p.m.
- Mon., Nov. 23 – 8-10 a.m.
First Baptist Church, Greensburg
- Mon. Nov. 16 – 3-5 p.m.
- Tues., Nov. 17 – 3-5 p.m.
- Wed., Nov. 18 – 3-5 p.m.
- Thu., Nov. 19 – 3-5 p.m.
- Fri., Nov. 20 – 3-5 p.m.
- Sat., Nov. 21 – 9-11 a.m.
- Sun., Nov. 22 – 1-3 p.m.
- Mon., Nov. 23 – 9-11 a.m.
Emmanuel Baptist Church, Brookville
- Mon., Nov. 16 – 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Tues., Nov. 17 – 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Wed., Nov. 18 – 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Thu., Nov. 19 – 3-6 p.m.
- Fri., Nov. 20 – 3-6 p.m.
- Sat., Nov. 21 – 3-6 p.m.
- Sun., Nov. 22 – 4-7 p.m.
- Mon., Nov. 23 – 8-10 a.m.
Hopewell Baptist Church, Holton
- Mon., Nov. 16 – 3-7 p.m.
- Tues., Nov. 17 – 12-2 p.m.
- Wed., Nov. 18 – 4-6:30 p.m.
- Thu., Nov. 19 – 12-2 p.m.
- Fri., Nov. 20 – 4-6:30 p.m.
- Sat., Nov. 21 – 12-2 p.m.
- Sun., Nov. 22 – 12-3 p.m.
- Mon., Nov. 23 – 9-11 a.m.
Dearborn Hills Church, Bright
- Mon., Nov. 16 – 5-8 p.m.
- Tues., Nov. 17 – 5-8 p.m.
- Wed., Nov. 18 – 5-7 p.m.
- Thu., Nov. 19 – 5-7 p.m.
- Fri., Nov. 20 – 5-7 p.m.
- Sat., Nov. 21 – 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
- Sun., Nov. 22 – 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Mon., Nov. 23 – 7:30-9:30 a.m.
Since its inception, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 244 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 175 countries and territories.
