MARION, Iowa (KCRG) – Iowans now have one week to donate to Operation Christmas Child. Through an annual drive, people are asked to donate a shoebox full of gifts to children in need around the world.

These shoe boxes can be filled with everything from toys to hygiene products to school supplies: anything a child might need. People have from Monday 18 November to Monday 25 November to donate.

Nationally, the group wants to collect 12 million donations. Here in the Iowa Hawkeye Section, the goal is 12,000.

Amy Speed, the local coordinator for Operation Christmas Child, encourages people to be careful with their gifts.

“It’s been a great lesson to teach my kids that, ‘Hey, I want you to pick things that you would love to get and we’re going to send them to a kid that you’ve never met and you probably will, most likely never to meet,” Speed ​​said. “There is so much good in this project because you are making a huge difference in a child’s life.”

Annually, the group sends gifts to people in 170 countries and territories. People are asked to leave $10 in their box to help with shipping costs.

Antioch Christian Church in Marion will be the primary donation center and drop-off location for the “Hawkeye Ward.” People can use their zip code through the Samaritan’s Purse website here to find the nearest donation location. People can also quickly make a donation via filling a shoebox online also.

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