Several area churches are participating in Operation Christmas Child.
The project involves filling shoe box gifts with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for needy children overseas. The year-round project of international relief aid organization Samaritan's Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, is ramping up as local businesses, churches and community groups prepare to collect more than 7,000 gift-filled shoe boxes during National Collection Week from Nov. 12-19.
Filled shoe boxes can be dropped off at several area locations, including:
Park United Methodist Church, 49 Sinclair Drive, Sinclairville, from 3-6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, through Friday, Nov. 16, 1-5 p.m. Nov. 17 and 18 and 3-6 p.m. Nov. 19.
Christ Community Church, 219 Berry Road, Fredonia, from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, thorugh Friday, Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 18 and 12:30-3 p.m. Nov. 18.
South Dayton Free Methodist Church, 327 Pine St., South Dayton, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12, through Saturday, Nov. 17, 1-2 p.m. Nov. 18 and 10 a.m. to noon Nov. 19.
Additional local collection sites can be found using the ZIP code locator at samaritanspurse.org.