GREENVILLE – In November, sites in the Greenville area will be among 5,000 U.S. drop-off locations collecting shoebox gifts for children overseas during Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week, Nov. 18-25.

Greenville families, churches and groups are busy transforming empty shoeboxes into fun gifts filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items. The Samaritan’s Purse project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine. For many of these children, it will be the first gift they have ever received.

This year, Greenville-area residents hope to collect more than 17,000 gifts to contribute to the 2019 global goal of reaching 11 million children.

“I love seeing the local community rally together for a global impact,” said Regional Director David Zimmerman. “We see all ages getting involved – and more and more every year.”

Drop-off locations and times:

Pleasant View Missionary Church, 5231 Gettysburg Pitsburg Road, Greenville – Nov. 18-22, 2-7 p.m., Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 24, noon to 2 p.m., and Nov. 25, 9 a.m. to noon.

Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren, 373 Love Road, New Paris – Nov. 18-23, 9-11 a.m., Nov. 24, noon to 3 p.m., and Nov. 25, 8-10 a.m.

Faith Baptist Church, 740 E. Russ Road, Greenville – Nov. 18-22, 6-8 p.m., Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to noon, Nov. 24, noon to 2 p.m., and Nov. 25, 10 a.m. to noon.