Local volunteers are collecting simple shoebox gifts personally packed by children, families and individuals here in Chilton County. These shoebox gifts will be sorted and sent using whatever means necessary – sea containers, trucks, buses, trains, airplanes, helicopters, boats, camels, even dog sleds – to reach suffering children around the world.

“A pencil may mean very little to a child here in the U.S., however, many children around the world can’t even attend school without basic school supplies,” said Southeast Regional Manager, April Mack. “This project is an incredible opportunity to reach children who have nothing and bring joy into their lives. We encourage the community to help us reach our goal and take just a few moments to pack a shoe box gift next time they go to the store.”

The local collection site is The Church at Bethel, located at 11042 Collins Chapel Road in Thorsby. Collection times are as follows:

Monday, Nov. 17: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 18: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 19: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 20: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Friday, Nov. 21: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 22: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 23: 1 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 24: Not collecting

To find the closest location in your area go to www.samaritanspurse.org

Right now you can join the effort to help the world’s largest Christmas project hand-deliver some 8 million gift-filled shoe boxes to children in more than 90 countries suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, famine, and poverty.

What you can do to get involved

Prepare: Enlist families, churches, scout troops, community groups and businesses to take part in creating shoe box gifts for needy children worldwide.

Pack: Fill shoeboxes with school supplies, toys, necessity items, candy and a letter of encouragement. Step-by-step shoebox packing instructions are available at www.samaritanspurse.org. Process: Sign up to join Operation Christmas Child volunteers at collection sites in Chilton County as part of the effort to prepare millions of shoe box gifts for delivery to underprivileged kids on six continents.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse headed by Franklin Graham, has delivered more than 61 million gift-filled shoe boxes to needy children in some 130 countries.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (770) 777-9342 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org. National Collection Week is Nov. 17-24.