Operation Christmas Child this week

Madison County

The National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child will be Nov. 18-24 this year.

Last year the local effort resulted in more than 2,300 shoeboxes collected to be delivered around the world.

With holiday supplies covering the shelves, Fredericktown residents, families, churches and organizations are working to make Christmas a reality for underprivileged children around the world. Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes are filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene products and sent to more than 100 countries around the world.

A collection site for the shoeboxes will be set up during the National Collection Week in Fredericktown for anyone who wants to drop off their shoeboxes. The Operation Christmas Child drop-off location is the SMTS building located at 700 East Highway 72.

They will be collecting donations 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. In addition the collection site will be open 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday.