Operation Christmas Child seeks donations

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Sites in the Youngstown 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. 12-19. 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 items. Area residents hope to collect more than 25,000 gifts to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching 11 million children. Drop-offs can be made from noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 12-19 at Calvary Baptist Church, 1463 Shields Road.