Special to The Daily News

Local churches, organizations and individuals are once again helping with the national “Samaritan’s Purse” shoebox drive this year.
Samaritan’s Purse was founded by Franklin Graham, the son of the Rev. Billy Graham. “Operation Christmas Child” is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, and uses simple gifts in shoeboxes to reach out to needy families and children across the world.
The project is also method of evangelization, as each shoebox also helps to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to countries where Christianity is still growing.
The “National Collection Week” is Nov. 16-23, so those who wish to mail a shoebox still have time to do so.
The directions to participate are simple. Start with an average-size cardboard box or plastic shoebox. If you wish to wrap it, cover the box and lid separately.
Next, decide whether your shoebox will be for a girl of a boy, and choose an age category of 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Then, select a quality “major toy,” such as a doll, soccer ball with pump or stuffed animal. Then, add other fun toys, hygiene items and school supplies.
Also, it is important to pray for the child who will receive the shoebox, and you are encouraged to include a personal note or photo if you wish. Finally, each shoebox mailer is asked to donate $7 online at www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/donate-online to receive a shipping label to “Follow Your Box” and keep track of the location of your shoebox gift.
If you do not wish to “Follow Your Box,” you are still asked to put $7 in each shoebox to help with the shipping cost.
In Washington Parish, there are two convenient drop-off locations for Samaritan’s Purse shoeboxes.
The first is at Palestine Baptist Church, located off Highways 1075/1074 in the Rio community. The street address is 59369 Palestine Church Road and the contact person is Hope Banks (church — 732-7997, home — 732-3950).
Palestine’s drop off times for the week are: Monday, 9 a.m. to noon; Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesday, 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon; Friday, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon; Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 23, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
The second drop-off location is First Baptist Church of Franklinton, located at 950 Self Street. The contact person is Margie Parker (church — 839-3427).
First Baptist’s drop off times for the week are: Monday, 9 a.m. to noon; Tuesday, 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesday, noon to 6:30 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon; Friday, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon; Sunday, noon to 3 p.m.; and Monday, Nov. 23, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
In 2014, there were more than 634,000 showboxes donated in the Louisiana-Texas division of Operation Christmas Child. This year, the goal is 700,000.
For more information, visit online at www.samaritanspurse.org.