With thousands of shoe box gifts already collected in Salem, area residents are encouraged to continue packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child through “Build a Box,” an online giving tool.  This year, the Samaritan’s Purse project expects to reach a milestone—collecting and delivering shoe boxes to more than 100 million children since 1993.

Hundreds of volunteers have worked to spread Christmas cheer at six area collection sites where more than 12,000 shoe boxes packed with school supplies, toys and necessity items were dropped off by residents last week. (The Salem site was at Salem Baptist Church, located at 103 N. Broad St. in Salem).

Although National Collection Week has ended [it took place Nov. 12-19], it’s not too late for participants of Operation Christmas Child to fill shoe boxes online with items for hurting kids overseas.

Many local families are choosing to pack shoe box gifts virtually through “Build a Box.” By visiting the project’s website, here is how you can get involved:

• Select a child’s age and gender
• Shop through an online selection of gifts
• Virtually “pack” them in an empty shoe box
• Finish it off by writing a note of encouragement

Then, through tracking technology, donors can “follow” the box to the destination country where it will be hand-delivered.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 410-772-7360 or click here.

Submitted by Emily Ahalt, Operation Christmas Child.