JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization, Operation Christmas Child sends gifts outside the US to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease.

They also send gifts to children living on Native American reservation in the US.

The program was started in the United Kingdom in 1990 by Dave and Jill Cooke, since 1993, over 168 million children in more than 100 countries have received a gift through Operation Christmas Child.

Empty shoe boxes will be filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items. Locally, Temple Baptist Church will accept donations through November 25th that will be packed and shipped through the organizaiton.

This year, the Jamestown location hopes to collect more than 10,668 gifts.

Participants may also donate $9 per shoe box gift online through “Follow Your Box” and receive a tracking label to discover where your gift was sent. Find more information at samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Needed items can be brought to 1200 12th Avenue NE from 9 AM to 4 PM.