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Next week is the national collections week for Operation Christmas Child. A program administered by Samaritan’s Purse, churches around the country will participate in the tradition.

In 2013, Franklin Graham commemorated the 20th year of the project with a book entitled, Operation Christmas Child: a story of simple gifts.

In that book, he stated,” The Lord has blessed this outreach in numbers—monumental numbers. But more important, He has blessed it by changing hearts, one at a time. And in the twentieth year of Operation Christmas Child, we delivered the one hundred millionth shoebox!”

Moving into its 26th year of operation, OCC is reaching millions around the world with this global ministry through the power of one gift.

The gift is composed of a shoebox filled with items for children ages 2 – 14. In each town, local church members are encouraged to assemble each box. The shoebox is then shipped overseas and hand delivered to a child during a special celebration that includes a Gospel presentation to accompany the gift.

To participate, members can use a shoebox from home or an official OCC box that can be accessed from many of the churches in the area. As of this year, candy and toothpaste are no longer allowed in the boxes. Once the box is packed, a $9 donation is given for each box to ensure its delivery.

In Brewton, the official drop-off location is First Baptist Church of Brewton, located at 324 Belleville Ave.

The collections week will last from Nov. 18 – Nov. 25. The church will be open according to the times listed below.

Wed, Nov. 20: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Thu, Nov. 21: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Fri, Nov. 22: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Sat, Nov. 23: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Sun, Nov. 24: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Mon, Nov. 25: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM