Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, has commenced its annual National Collection Week in Ohio. From November 17 to 24, individuals and groups can pack shoebox gifts with toys, school supplies, and personal care items for children in need. Nearly 5,000 drop-off locations are available nationwide.
Since its inception over three decades ago, Operation Christmas Child has aimed to deliver these gifts worldwide. This year, the initiative hopes to collect enough shoeboxes in Ohio to contribute to a global goal of reaching 12 million children. The project collaborates with local churches globally to distribute these gifts as expressions of love.
Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse, said: "Every shoebox gift is an opportunity to tell a boy or girl that God loves them. That’s why we do what we do." He expressed gratitude for those who participate by packing shoeboxes, emphasizing that these gifts help share the Gospel.
Participants can locate nearby drop-off points using an online tool searchable by city or ZIP code. For those preferring online shopping, the website samaritanspurse.org/buildonline offers options to select age-appropriate gifts and add personal notes before sending virtual shoeboxes to remote areas.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered over 232 million shoeboxes across more than 170 countries and territories. In Ohio, specific drop-off locations are listed below.
Mount Vernon, OH - Faith Baptist Church
8764 Martinsburg Road Mount Vernon, OH 43050-9066
Mon, Nov. 17: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Tue, Nov. 18: 2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Wed, Nov. 19: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Wed, Nov. 19: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Thu, Nov. 20: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Fri, Nov. 21: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 22: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Sun, Nov. 23: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Mon, Nov. 24: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Mount Vernon, OH - Brandon Baptist Church
13513 Sycamore Road Mount Vernon, OH 43050-9419
Mon, Nov. 17: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tue, Nov. 18: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wed, Nov. 19: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Thu, Nov. 20: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Fri, Nov. 21: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 22: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sun, Nov. 23: 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Mon, Nov. 24: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Utica, OH - Grace Pointe Community Church
892 E Columbus Road Utica, OH 43080
Mon, Nov. 17: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tue, Nov. 18: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Wed, Nov. 19: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thu, Nov. 20: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Fri, Nov. 21: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 22: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Sun, Nov. 23: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Mon, Nov. 24: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Johnstown, OH - New Covenant Community Church
8408 Johnstown-Utica Road Johnstown, OH 43031-0396
Mon, Nov. 17: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Tue, Nov. 18: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Wed, Nov. 19: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Thu, Nov. 20: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Fri, Nov. 21: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 22: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sun, Nov. 23: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Mon, Nov. 24: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Newark, OH - Community Wesleyan Church
161 Myrtle Avenue Newark, OH 43055-3114
Mon, Nov. 17: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tue, Nov. 18: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Wed, Nov. 19: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thu, Nov. 20: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Fri, Nov. 21: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 22: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sun, Nov. 23: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Mon, Nov. 24: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Granville, OH - Spring Hills Baptist Church
1820 Newark Granville Road Granville, OH 43023-8098
Mon, Nov. 17: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tue, Nov. 18: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wed, Nov. 19: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thu, Nov. 20: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Fri, Nov. 21: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sat, Nov. 22: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sun, Nov. 23: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Mon, Nov. 24: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
For further details on locations and hours of operation visit Samaritan's Purse drop off locations.
Information from this article can be found here.
