Operation Christmas Child wants shoeboxes
Operation Christmas Child volunteers Judy Kyker, red shirt, and Marie Stillman help with shoeboxes in 2021 at Anthem Church in Hayden.
BILL BULEY/Press file
COEUR d'ALENE — In the past eight years, North Idaho has collected nearly 100,000 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.
When National Collection Week rolls around Nov. 13-20, organizers are hoping to bring smiles to even more children overseas.
More than 4,500 locations will open to collect OCC shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project. This year, OCC expects to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children.
In the coming weeks in North Idaho, families, community groups and churches fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, hygiene items and a gospel message that are delivered to the drop-off center at Anthem Church in Hayden during National Collection Week.
Local sites are also at Canvas Church, 2200 N. Seventh Street, Coeur d'Alene; North Country Chapel, 2281 W. Seltice Way, Post Falls, and Spirit Lake, 89 W. Highway 54.
Since 1993, OCC has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, OCC will celebrate its 30th anniversary.