Collection of gifts for children are happening this week

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization, will deliver shoebox gifts to one of 4,000 collection points Nov. 17-24.

For months, Carson City residents, families and groups have been filling empty shoeboxes with items such as toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement.

The gifts go to children around the world and are delivered using any means necessary — boats, planes, dog sleds and even elephants.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 113 million children in more than 150 countries. This year it hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 10 million children, with 11,555 coming from the Carson City area.

For more information about how to participate, go to samaritanspurse.org. To find a local drop-off site, go to samaritanspurse.org/occ.

To find out where a gift will be delivered, use the donation form and create a shipping label at samaritanspurse.org by clicking “Pack a Shoebox” / “Follow-Your-Box Label.”