World's Largest Christmas Project Opens Collection Sites Nov. 17-24 in Gwinnett with Overall Goal of 80,000 Shoeboxes

GWINNETT COUNTY, GA, November 3, 2014—This month, four locations in the Gwinnett County area will serve as collection sites for Operation Christmas Child—the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. The annual project is a favorite of many local residents, families, churches and groups who help spread God’s love to millions of children around the world by filling shoeboxes with toys, school supplies and notes of encouragement.

“Operation Christmas Child is a fun project that makes a tangible difference in the life of a child facing difficult circumstances. Anyone can participate, whether young or old,” said Snellville volunteer Elbert Rivers.

Through local collection points, local residents hope to contribute to the metro Atlanta and Atlanta goal of more than 80,000 gift-filled shoeboxes to the 2014 global goal of reaching 10 million needy children. Since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 113 million children in over 150 countries through Operation Christmas Child. For many of these children, a gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.

GWINNETT COUNTY COLLECTION SITES:

First Baptist Snellville

2400 Main Street E

Snellville, GA 30078

(770) 978-7000

Mon, 11/17: 10am – 2pm

Tues, 11/18: 10am – 8pm

Wed, 11/19: 10am – 6pm

Thurs, 11/20: 10am – 2pm

Fri, 11/21: 10am – 2pm

Sat, 11/22: 10am – 3pm

Sun, 11/23: 1pm – 3pm

Mon, 11/24: 10am – 12pm

Mount Zion Baptist Church

1525 Scenic Highway

Snellville, GA 30078

(770) 972-5020

Mon, 11/17: 9am – 6pm

Tues, 11/18: 9am – 6pm

Wed, 11/19: 9am – 6pm

Thurs, 11/20: 9am – 6pm

Fri, 11/21: 9am – 6pm

Sat, 11/22: 9am – 4pm

Sun, 11/23: 2pm – 5pm

Mon, 11/24: 8am – 10am

Lawrenceville Church of God

329 Grayson Highway

Lawrenceville, GA 30046

(770) 963-4858

Mon, 11/17: 10am – 2pm

Tues, 11/18: 10am – 2pm

Wed, 11/19: 5pm – 8pm

Thurs, 11/20: 10am – 2pm

Fri, 11/21: 4pm – 8pm

Sat, 11/22: 10am – 3pm

Sun, 11/23: 12pm – 4pm

Mon, 11/24: 10am – 2pm

Life Church International

4830 River Green Parkway

Duluth, GA 30096

(770) 491-7071

Mon, 11/17: 9am – 4:30pm

Tues, 11/18: 9am – 4:30pm

Wed, 11/19: 9am – 4:30pm

Thurs, 11/20: 9am – 4:30pm

Fri, 11/21: 9am – 4:30pm

Sat, 11/22: 10am – 2pm

Sun, 11/23: 1pm – 3pm

Mon, 11/24: 9am – 2pm

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. Through simple shoebox gifts and a message of hope through Jesus Christ, children learn they are loved and not forgotten.

For more information about how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, visit samaritanspurse.org. National Collection Week for gift-filled shoeboxes is Nov. 17-24; however, shoebox gifts are collected all year at the Samaritan’s Purse headquarters in Boone, North Carolina.

Participants can track their boxes online to the country where they will be delivered. To track a shoebox gift, use the online donation form at samaritanspurse.org. Click on “Pack a Shoebox” / “Follow-Your-Box Label.”