This week is national collection week, when thousands of gift-filled shoeboxes come pouring into local collection centers.
ABC30 met with some volunteers, both young and old, who are touching lives across the globe.
They come by the trunk full to Calvary Chapel in East Central Fresno. Greeted by volunteers with cheers and ready hands. Each of the boxes is filled with toys and toiletries, even tools for boys and girls ages two to 14 around the world.
Since 1993 Operation Christmas Child has reached more than 113-million children. Many of the gifts coming from children themselves. Bluff View Preschool in North Fresno contributed. Each of the classrooms assembled dozens of boxes to donate.
Senior citizens living at the Terraces at San Joaquin Gardens held a packing party with the goal of 200 boxes.
Whatever age of the volunteers involved, the consensus seems to be -- it is better to give than to receive.
Organizers hope Central California's contribution will reach 30,000 boxes this year. Each of them prayed over before being shipped out.
The boxes are headed to destinations as far away as Peru, Nepal, Indonesia and the Philippines. And the joy on the kids' faces when they receive their boxes needs no translation at all.
There's still time to contribute before collection week ends Monday, the 24th. They're especially in need of gifts for boys ages 10 to 14.
Boxes are available at:
Lifeway at River Park
Family Christian Bookstore
(But any shoeboxes or clear plastic boxes are acceptable)
Drop Off Locations
Trinity Southern Baptist Church Map | Hours
4890 E Holland Avenue - Fresno, CA 93726
Calvary Chapel Fresno Map | Hours
3425 E Shields Avenue - Fresno, CA 93726
Church of Tollhouse Ministry Center - Sierra Relay Center Map | Hours
27950 Tollhouse Road - Tollhouse, CA 93667
How to pack a shoebox:
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/pack-a-shoe-box/