Churches throughout Southern Illinois are preparing to serve as collection sites for Operation Christmas Child, an international outreach program that provides Christmas gifts to children in need around the world.
National Collection Week is scheduled for Monday, November 16, through Monday, November 23, with several area churches participating as official shoebox drop-off locations.
Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, encourages individuals, families, churches, and community organizations to fill shoeboxes with toys, school supplies, personal care items, and other gifts for children in need.
The collected shoeboxes will be distributed to children around the world as part of the organization’s annual Christmas outreach effort.
Six collection sites have been announced in the surrounding area, including locations in Fairfield, Albion, Flora, McLeansboro, Noble, and Mount Carmel.
FAIRFIELD – NORTH SIDE BAPTIST CHURCH
North Side Baptist Church, located at 905 North First Street in Fairfield, will accept shoebox donations during the following hours:
Monday, November 16: 4–6 p.m.
Tuesday, November 17: 4–6 p.m.
Wednesday, November 18: 9–11 a.m.
Thursday, November 19: 4–6 p.m.
Friday, November 20: 4–6 p.m.
Saturday, November 21: 10 a.m.–noon
Sunday, November 22: 1–3 p.m.
Monday, November 23: 8–10 a.m.
ALBION – HOUSE OF PRAYER
The House of Prayer, located at 230 North Fifth Street in Albion, will collect shoebox gifts during the following hours:
Monday, November 16: 9–11 a.m.
Tuesday, November 17: 5–7 p.m.
Wednesday, November 18: 4–6 p.m.
Thursday, November 19: 5–7 p.m.
Friday, November 20: Noon–2 p.m.
Saturday, November 21: 9–11 a.m.
Sunday, November 22: 1–4 p.m.
Monday, November 23: 8:30–10:30 a.m.
FLORA – CHRIST’S CHURCH CLAY COUNTY CAMPUS
Christ’s Church Clay County Campus, located at 200 North Olive Road in Flora, will offer the following collection hours:
Monday, November 16: 1–3 p.m. and 5–7 p.m.
Tuesday, November 17: 9–11 a.m.
Wednesday, November 18: 1–3 p.m.
Thursday, November 19: 9–11 a.m.
Friday, November 20: 1–3 p.m. and 5–7 p.m.
Saturday, November 21: 10 a.m.–noon
Sunday, November 22: 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Monday, November 23: 7–9 a.m.
MCLEANSBORO – FREEDOM BAPTIST CHURCH
Freedom Baptist Church, located at 13316 State Route 142 in McLeansboro, will accept donations during the following hours:
Monday, November 16: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Tuesday, November 17: 2–5 p.m.
Wednesday, November 18: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Thursday, November 19: 10 a.m.–noon
Friday, November 20: 1–4 p.m.
Saturday, November 21: 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Sunday, November 22: 1–3 p.m.
Monday, November 23: 8:30–10:30 a.m.
NOBLE – CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY CHURCH
Cornerstone Community Church, located at 160 East Elm Street in Noble, will have the following collection schedule:
Monday, November 16: 4–6 p.m.
Tuesday, November 17: 4–6 p.m.
Wednesday, November 18: 4–6 p.m.
Thursday, November 19: 4–6 p.m.
Friday, November 20: 4–6 p.m.
Saturday, November 21: Noon–2 p.m.
Sunday, November 22: Noon–2 p.m.
Monday, November 23: 9–11 a.m.
MOUNT CARMEL – PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Parkview Christian Church, located at 11467 North 1550 Boulevard in Mount Carmel, will accept shoebox donations during the following hours:
Monday, November 16: 9–11 a.m.
Tuesday, November 17: 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 18: 9–11 a.m.
Thursday, November 19: 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 20: 5–7 p.m.
Saturday, November 21: 10 a.m.–noon
Sunday, November 22: 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Monday, November 23: 8–10 a.m.
Residents interested in participating are encouraged to begin preparing their shoebox gifts ahead of National Collection Week and deliver them to one of the participating churches during the designated collection hours.
Additional information about Operation Christmas Child, including packing instructions and collection locations, is available online at samaritanspurse.org.