In November, sites in Marengo and neighboring counties 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.

Demopolis 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 tangible expressions of God’s love to children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine. For many of these children, it will be the first gift they have ever received.

This year, Demopolis-area residents hope to collect more than 14,590 gifts to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching 11 million children.

“We are honored to be linking arms with our community to help children around the world experience the true meaning of Christmas,” said Regional Director Shelli Wishard, “These simple gifts show God’s love to children facing difficult circumstances.”

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 770-777-9342, or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Participants can donate $9 per shoebox gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.

Following are location sites for area counties.

Marengo County — Bethel Baptist Association in Linden, 308 E. Coats Ave. Dropoffs may be made Monday, Nov. 12 through Friday, Nov. 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon; Sunday, Nov. 18, from 2 to 4 p.m.; and Monday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon.

Sumter County — Livingston First Baptist Church, 103 Lafayette St. Dropoffs may be made Monday, Nov. 12 through Sunday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and on Monday, Nov. 19, from 9 to 11 a.m.

Choctaw County — Choctaw County Baptist Association in Butler, 110 Pickens Ave. Dropoffs may be made Monday, Nov. 12, through Friday, Nov. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 17, from 8:30 a.m. to noon; Sunday, Nov. 18, from 2-4 p.m., and Monday, Nov. 19, from 8:30-10:30 a.m.

Perry County — Marion United Methodist Church, 110 Washington St. Dropoffs may be made Monday, Nov. 12 and Tuesday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Thursday, Nov. 15, through Sunday, Nov. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon; and Monday, Nov. 19, from 9-11 a.m.

(This article originally appeared in the Saturday, October 20 issue of the Demopolis Times.)