Last week, dozens of local volunteers turned out to participate in a countdown event to Operation Christmas Child at the Covenant Baptist Church here in Shepherdstown.

Operation Christmas Child is the world’s largest project of its kind and is dedicated to making Christmas a little brighter for needy children in more than 130 countries. Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the program has collected over 100 million gift boxes since it began in 1993 and this year they hope to collect an additional 9.8 million more. Our local tri-state region has planned to donate 16,588 gift filled shoeboxes and Thursday was a successful start towards that goal.

Those interested in helping can participate in other upcoming events such as the Chik Fil A collection day where anyone who drops off a shoebox filled with small items such as school supplies, toys and hygiene items to participating restaurants and will receive a coupon for a free Chick Fil A chicken sandwich. Empty shoeboxes can be picked up Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5 -7 p.m. and returned filled with gifts on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

National collection week will be Nov. 18-25, local drop off locations include the Covenant Baptist Church in Shepherdstown and Rocky Knoll School in Martinsburg. For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child this holiday season and a full list drop off locations call 410-772-7360 or visit samaritanspurse.org.