Families, churches and groups are busy transforming empty shoeboxes into fun gifts filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for Operation Christmas Child.

The Samaritan’s Purse project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions to children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine. For many of these children, it will be the first gift they have ever received.

This year, Albemarle-area residents hope to collect more than 18,930 gifts to contribute to the 2018 global goal of reaching 11 million children.

“We are honored to be linking arms with our community to help children around the world experience the true meaning of Christmas,” said Regional Director Lindsey Tunnell Wooten, “These simple gifts show God’s love to children facing difficult circumstances.”

Locations accepting shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child in Stanly County during National Collection Week, Nov. 12-19, are:

• First Baptist Albemarle, 202 N. 2nd St., Albemarle: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Nov. 15; 10 a.m.-noon Nov. 16-17; 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Nov. 18; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 19;

• West Stanly Baptist Church, 24172 N.C. Highway 24-27, Albemarle: 5-7 p.m. Monday; 6-8 p.m. Tuesday; 4-6 p.m. Wednesday; 6-8 p.m. Nov. 15; 4-6 p.m. Nov. 16; 9-11 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Nov. 17; 4-6 p.m. Nov. 18; 3-7 p.m. Nov. 19;

• Memorial Baptist Church, 873 Pee Dee Ave., Norwood: 1-4 p.m. Monday-Nov. 18; 12-2 p.m. Nov. 19;

• Locust Presbyterian Church, 607 Main St. W., Locust: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Monday-Nov. 16; 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 17; 1-3 p.m. Nov. 18; 10 a.m.-noon Nov. 19;

Local coordinator is Lauren Patterson. She can be reached at 980-581-6810.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (704) 583-1463, or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. Participants can donate $9 per shoebox gift online through Follow Your Box and receive a tracking label to discover its destination.