Preprinted shoeboxes will soon be available for Samaritan’s Purse annual Operation Christmas Child.

Each year children and seniors alike pack shoeboxes of gifts to send to children in need around the world. Following the packing of shoeboxes, churches and other local groups will often collect the boxes from the community and drop them off at the local drop off location during the third week of November.

This year’s national collection week is November 18-25.

Once all the boxes are collected, thousands of volunteers will travel to the processing center to inspect and prepare the boxes for international shipping. During this time, the workers also stop to pray for the children who will be receiving these boxes.

The boxes are finally shipped to more than 100 counties, where trained pastors and community leaders share the gospel before dispersing the shoeboxes.

To get involved in the local shoebox donation, visit samaritanspurse.org/operation-Christmas-child to pick an age and learn what to purchase for the assigned child.

Those interested may then track their box and find where it will end its journey.