Collection week for Operation Christmas Child has been set for Nov. 14-21 at Trinity Lutheran Church, corner of Fountain Hills and Palisades Blvds.

Several local churches are participating this year in the project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham based in Boone, N.C.

Among the participating churches are Trinity Lutheran, Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran, Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills, Calvary Chapel, Fountain Hills Presbyterian, First Baptist and Desert Creek Fellowship.

The goal this year is to fill 1,500 shoeboxes, said Maureen (Mike) Crichfield, church relations volunteer for the local Operation Christmas Child project.

Since 1993, shoeboxes have been delivered in this country and in more than 100 nations around the world.

“Christmas will be a time of sadness, loss, disease, hunger and devastation for millions of children because of natural disasters and conflicts,” said Crichfield, referring to Haiti, Nepal and Syria.

A way to alleviate sadness in a child’s live is to fill a shoebox with toys, school supplies, personal items and hard candy, she said.

Items are selected for either a boy or girl and appropriate age group: 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14 years old.

Gift suggestions are listed on samaritansourse.org.

Some colorful pre-printed boxes are available at the churches. Once each box is filled, a $7 donation will deliver the gift to a child.

In each box, Samaritan’s Purse places a book, “The Greatest Gift”, which explains in the recipient’s language about Jesus.

“There are so many stories of how these shoeboxes have made a difference in a child’s life, a child’s family and in many cases, a whole village because of the gift of love and hope,” said Crichfield.

If interested in packing one or more boxes, contact Crichfield at ipswich36@gmail.com.