It’s officially National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child, the annual global outreach project of Samaritan’s Purse that brings joy, hope, and the love of Christ to children in need around the world. From Nov. 17–24, thousands of drop-off locations across the country — including many right here in North Carolina — are open and ready to receive gift-filled shoeboxes.

For more than 30 years, Operation Christmas Child has delivered millions of shoebox gifts packed with small toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and personal notes. Each shoebox becomes a tangible expression of love, reminding children across more than 170 countries that they are seen, valued, and not forgotten.

“Every shoebox gift is an opportunity to tell a boy or girl that God loves them.”

— Franklin Graham, President of Samaritan’s Purse

This year, Samaritan’s Purse hopes to help reach a global goal of 12 million shoeboxes, with contributions from generous families, churches, and groups across North Carolina.

How to Participate

1. Pack a Shoebox

Fill a shoebox with:

• Fun toys

• School essentials

• Personal care items

• A note of encouragement or a photo

Shoeboxes can be labeled by age and gender to help volunteers match them appropriately.

2. Find Your Drop-Off Location

Use the official locator tool to find the nearest site, searchable by ZIP code or city. Signs will clearly identify each collection location.

3. Prefer Online Giving?

You can build a virtual shoebox online at:
samaritanspurse.org/buildonline

Select curated gifts, add a message, and send your box to some of the hardest-to-reach areas on the globe — remote islands, mountain villages, inner-city neighborhoods, and more.

Why It Matters

Operation Christmas Child isn’t just about the gifts — it’s about hope. Through local church partners worldwide, these shoeboxes open doors to connection, support, and the message of God’s love.

Since 1993, the project has delivered more than 232 million shoeboxes to children in crisis and poverty around the world. Your shoebox could be the one that changes a child’s life.