‘Operation: Christmas Child’ volunteers prep for holiday collections

WEST VIRGINIA (WBOY) — If you’re able to help a young person in need during the upcoming holiday season, now is the time to start packing “Operation: Christmas Child” shoeboxes.

Volunteers are preparing to collect those donated gifts during its national collection week, which runs from Nov. 17-24 at the nearly 5,000 drop-off locations across the country.

“Operation: Christmas Child” hopes to reach 12 million children in 2025. Since 1993, the project has collected and delivered more than 232 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

You can find your nearest drop-off locations by visiting “Operation Christmas Child’s” website here with at least 25 in north central West Virginia alone. Officials with the organization said that signs will be posted to identify each drop-off location.