‘Operation Christmas Child’ is underway

It’s drop-off week for ‘Operation Christmas Child’s annual shoebox distribution.

Faster.

- - its drop off week for operation- christmas child's - annual shoebox distribution.

Du- to covid-19..

This year's drop- off - is curbside only at 11 location- throughout the gulf coast.

The- spririt of giving is in full- swing.

News 25's ashleigh - fortenberry has the story from- gulfport.

- - in just a few weeks...- operation christmas child will- make a difference in the- lives of countless children - around the world... with- their annual shoebox donation.- but first... local volunteers - ... like the ones at the gulf - coast - baptist association must collec- and organize the- shoeboxes before they're ready- for send off.

- debbie eubanks, gulf coast area- - - - coordinator "we get to share god's love to people across the- world from- right here where we are.

It's a- very easy thing to do to- take a shoebox...wheth er its - one your shoes came in or - a plastic box from the store..- you can pack it with these item- that you can drop off and share- god's love with children- across the world."

Shoeboxes can be filled with- various items, including school- supplies, toys, toiletries, - clothes and more.

Area- coordinator debbie eubanks..

Wh- has been part of the- organization since 2006..

Says- sharing faith and love is what- its - all about.- "i personally have been to uganda to help pass out the - boxes and it's amazing to see - the reaction of the children- getting the shoeboxes for the - first time.

We love hearing the- testimonies of the things you - get in the box that you don't - even think about but it touches- a child's heart because it was- what they needed at the time an- god knew that."

Ashleigh fortenberry- "since 1993, more than 178 million children in more than - 150 - countries have recieved an- operation christmas child - shoebox.

Volunteers say the goa- is to reach as many - children as possible."

Liz cook and bonnie humphrey, - volunteers- "for most of these children it' the only gift they ever - recieve and it gives them the - word of god in their own- language with each shoebox.

If- you took every, man, woman and- - - - child in the united states and- they did a shoebox..

It - wouldn't be enough shoeboxes to- reach all of the- children ages 2 to 14 in the- country of india."

Drop off week runs through- - - - november 23rd.

Donation - information can be found on - samaritans purse dot org.

- in gulfport ashleigh fortenberr- news