OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD (OCC)
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
NATIONAL COLLECTION WEEK
NOVEMBER 13-20
Every year, National Collection Week takes place the third week in November when more than 4,500 drop-off locations are open across the country. See the link below. Shipping labels will be available when you pick up your boxes. Optional donations can be made toward shipping costs.
Empty shoe boxes can be picked up (while supplies last) starting October 22 at:
Immanuel Church - Breezeway
Filled shoeboxes can be dropped off November 13-20 at any of the following locations:
Central Drop Off :
Meadowridge Baptist Church
4500 IL Route 173, Zion, IL 60099
Additional Drop Off locations:
The Orchard Barrington
1301 S. Grove Ave., Barrington, IL 60010
Lord of Glory Lutheran Church
607 W. Belvidere Rd., Grayslake, IL 60030
Chain of Lakes Community Church
43 W. Grass Lake Rd., Lake Villa, IL 60046
Heritage Church
255 N. Quentin Rd., Lake Zurich, IL 60047
For other national drop off locations, click HERE.
If you'd like to digitally build a box click HERE.
Email [email protected] if you have questions.
What is Operation Christmas Child?
The Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child collects shoebox gifts‑filled with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items—and delivers them to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way. For many of these children, the gift—filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.
Since 1993 we have collected and delivered more than 198 million shoebox gifts. Also, in 2023, Operation Christmas Child hopes to receive 11 million shoeboxes globally with 9.4 million of these boxes coming from the U.S. This year, the project expects to collect its 200 millionth gift-filled shoebox!
Eternal Impact
Delivered into the hands of children through local churches, every shoebox gift is an opportunity to share about Jesus Christ and God’s love. Since 2009, more than 26.5 million children who have received a shoebox gift have participated in The Greatest Journey—a 12‑lesson discipleship program. Children learn from trained, local volunteers what it means to follow Jesus and share their faith with friends and family.