Operation Christmas Child kicks off National Collection Week 

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Calvary Baptist Church, 1140 Rush Ave., Bellefontaine, is one of approximately 4,700 collection sites for Operation Christmas Child around the country. Shoebox gifts prepared by generous donors and filled with toys, hygiene items, school supplies and a $10 donation for shipping and other costs may be dropped off now during National Collection Week, Nov. 18-25. Those drop-off hours at Calvary Baptist are 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, through Friday, Nov. 22; 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 23; 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24; and 8 to 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 25. Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts to children worldwide for more than three decades. In 2024, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 12 million children. Visit www.samaritanspurse.org for gift ideas and for labels for your shoebox. Those who buy a label online also have the opportunity to track their shoebox and learn of its final destination.  (EXAMINER PHOTO | Mandy Loehr)