It is the 30th year of Operation Christmas Child (OCC) and collection week is coming up. 

Operation Christmas Child is a program which aims to let children who may not receive any Christmas gifts in other countries experience the joys of the holiday while also learning about the gospel. Every year since 1993, shoeboxes are filled with gifts to send to children around the world. Over 209 million children in more than 170 countries have received an OCC shoebox. 

In addition to bringing great joy to millions of boys and girls in need, every gift is accompanied with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Many children have been invited to follow-up discipleship through The Mailbox Club and The Greatest Journey, a 12-lesson program designed especially for shoebox recipients. 

In Warren County, Debbie Patterson is one of the organizers of OCC. She says the goal for 2023 is for 11 million shoeboxes to be delivered. The goal for Warren County this year is 5,200 boxes. Last year, Patterson says they received 5,094 boxes which was 444 boxes over the year's goal. 

Churches and organizations have already begun preparing for this year’s collection week. Children, parents and volunteers at First Baptist Church packed 120 shoeboxes last week. Patterson says Freedom Life Church has already packed over 900 boxes. 

Those interested in packing an OCC shoebox will first need to get a standard-size shoebox for a boy or girl. Each box requires a “WOW” item toy such as a doll, soccer ball with pump or stuffed animal. Then pack the other gifts such as fun toys, hygiene products and school supplies. Then donate $10 per box. This donation covers the cost of shipping and other project costs. Finally, drop off the box at one of the designated drop-off locations. 

Suggested shoebox items include: toy cars, jump ropes, yo-yos, toys that might light up or make noises, toothbrushes, washcloths, combs, hairbrushes, pens, pencils, sharpeners, notebooks, crayons, markers, paper, coloring and picture books, solar calculators, socks, sunglasses, jewelry, watches and flashlights with extra batteries.  

Items not allowed include: candy, toothpaste, gum, used or damaged items, scary or war-related items, seeds, food, liquids or lotions, medications or vitamins, breakable items or glass containers and aerosol cans. 

Collection week is Nov. 13 - 20. The locations and drop-off times are:

First Baptist Church located at 403 N Spring Street McMinnville: Mon, Nov. 13: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tue, Nov. 14: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wed, Nov. 15: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Thu, Nov. 16: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Fri, Nov. 17: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sat, Nov. 18: 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sun, Nov. 19: 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Mon, Nov. 20: 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. 

Covenant Fellowship Church  located at 7225 Manchester Highway: Mon, Nov. 13: 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tue, Nov. 14: noon - 7 p.m. Wed, Nov. 15: 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thu, Nov. 16: noon - 7 p.m. Fri, Nov. 17: 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sat, Nov. 18: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sun, Nov. 19: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Mon, Nov. 20: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

More information can be found on the Operation Christmas Child website, samaritanspurse.org.