Volunteers prepare to collect 'Operation Christmas Child' shoebox gifts in November

Volunteers in the Mahoning Valley and beyond are preparing to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts during National Collection week beginning November 18 and lasting through November 25.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering gift-filled shoeboxes to children who may be suffering from war, poverty, disease or disaster.

The project partners with churches across the country to deliver these shoeboxes to those children in need. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.

There are several dropoff locations in the Mahoning and Shenango Valleys. You can find the closest one to you by checking out the list below or by clicking here and typing in your zip code.

- Prince of Peace Evangelical Lutheran Church (2985 Center Road, Poland)

- Chestnut Ridge Church of God (7215 Chestnut Ridge Road, Hubbard)

- Gentle Shepherd Church of the Nazarene (3480 Shenango Valley Freeway, Hermitage)

- Upper Room Fellowship (500 Sponseller Road, Columbiana)

- Cavalry Independent Church (424 E Moody Avenue, New Castle)

- New Creation FMC (725 Pearson Street, New Castle)

- First Baptist Church of Newton Falls (2640 S Canal Street, Newton Falls)

- Wildare Church (7211 N Park Avenue, Cortland)

- Damascus Methodist Church (300 Valley Road, Damascus)

- Southington Christian Church (3285 State Route 534, Southington)

- Bethany Church (100 W Venango Street, Mercer)

- Lisbon First United Methodist Church (114 E Washington Street, Lisbon)

- Kinsman Chapel (6590 State Route 87, Kinsman)

- Calvin Presbyterian Church (615 Crescent Avenue, Ellwood City)

- Greenville Alliance Church (63 Conneaut Lake Road, Greenville)

- Grove City Grace United Methodist Church (210 S Broad Street, Grove City)

- The Heights Church (528 Grandview Street, East Liverpool)

- Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church (3461 Sandy Lake New Lebanon Rd, Sandy Lake)