The holidays are around the corner, and with it will be the opportunity to send joy in a shoebox.

Local volunteers will be filling empty shoe boxes with gifts of school supplies, toys, hygiene items and a letter of encouragement which will then be distributed to underprivileged children internationally.

Conyers volunteers are expected to impact more that 1,500 kids through the shoe box gifts of hope. 

National Collection Week for donations is Nov. 14-21.  Gift-filled shoe boxes can be dropped off at Smyrna Presbyterian Church, 2920 Highway 212 SW, Conyers.  Theresa Ray is the local collection coordinator and can be reached for questions or additional information at 770-922-6679 and for drop off hours. 

Operation Christmas Child, year-round project of Samaritan’s Purse, was founded in 1993 and is run by Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham.  This ministry is considered to be the world’s largest Christmas project, distributing more than 86 million gifts to children in 130 countries since its inception.

Tracking technology allows donors to “follow” their box to the destination country where it will be hand-delivered to a child in need.  Use the Follow Your Box donation form found at www.samaritanspurse.org/occ to find out the destination country.