Operation Christmas Child sets National Collection Week for Nov. 13-20
SOMERSET ― More than 4,500 locations will open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project.
The project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these gifts to children in need. Individuals, families and groups are invited to fill empty shoeboxes with fun gifts. Drop-off locations around Somerset County will be open where volunteers will be collecting the shoebox gifts.
Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts that are filled with school supplies, personal care items and fun toys to children worldwide since 1993. In 2023, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children.
More: United Way Diaper Bank sees increase in people needing help
“Children around the world need to know that God loves them and there is hope,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “A simple shoebox gift opens the door to share about the true hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”
Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, celebrates its 30th year of ministry this year. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.
More: Mary S. Biesecker Library is offering special fall programs
Local drop-off locations, dates and times are:
Somerset ― First Christian Church
139 E. Main St.
Nov. 13: 9-11 a.m.
Nov. 14: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 15: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Nov. 15: 1-2 p.m.
Nov. 16: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 17: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 18: 1-3 p.m.
Nov. 19: 9-11 a.m.
Nov. 20: 9-11 a.m.
Hooversville ― Camp Harmony
1414 Plank Road
Nov. 13: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov. 14: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov. 15: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov. 16: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov. 17: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Nov. 18: 5-7 a.m.
Nov. 19: 1-4 p.m.
Nov. 20: 9-11 a.m.
Berlin ―Berlin Brethren Church
620 Main St.
Nov. 13: 6-8 p.m.
Nov. 14: 6-8 p.m.
Nov. 15: 6-8 p.m.
Nov. 16: 6-8 p.m.
Nov. 17: 6-8 p.m.
Nov. 18: 6-8 p.m.
Nov. 19: 1-3 p.m.
Nov. 20: 8-10 a.m.
Markleton ― Kingwood Fellowship Center
5957 Kingwood Road
Nov. 13: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 14: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 15: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 15: 6:30-8 p.m.
Nov. 16: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 16: 5:30-7 p.m.
Nov. 17: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 17: 5-7 p.m.
Nov. 18: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nov. 19: 1-4 p.m.
Nov. 20: 8-11 a.m.
Meyersdale ― Meyersdale Grace Brethren Church
112 Beachley St.
Nov. 13: 5-7 p.m.
Nov. 14: 5-7 p.m.
Nov. 15: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Nov. 16: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Nov. 17: 9-11 a.m.
Nov. 18: 9-11 a.m.
Nov. 19: 12-2 p.m.
Nov. 20: 9-11 a.m.
Markleysburg ― New Life Convenant Church
4809 National Pike
Nov. 13: 9-11 a.m.
Nov. 14: 6-8 p.m.
Nov. 15: 9-11 a.m.
Nov. 16: 6-8 p.m.
Nov. 17: 9-11 a.m.
Nov. 18: 9 a.m.to 12 p.m.
Nov. 19: 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Nov. 20: 8-10 a.m.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Somerset County OCC drop-off sites open for National Collection Week
