Courtesy photos In the photos above and at right, volunteers pack boxes for Operation Christmas Child during a past shoe box packing party. This year’s party will be held Nov. 13 at Grace Church in Gladstone from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Courtesy photos
In the photos above and at right, volunteers pack boxes for Operation Christmas Child during a past shoe box packing party. This year’s party will be held Nov. 13 at Grace Church in Gladstone from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

GLADSTONE — An Operation Christmas Child shoe box packing party will be held at Grace Church, located at 528 28th St. in Gladstone, on Nov. 13, from 11:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Pizza will be provided.

Items sought for the packing party include wash cloths, writing utensils and paper, pencil sharpeners, crayons, markers, toy cars, stuffed animals, yo-yos, dolls, balls, t-shirts, socks, flip-flops, combs, hairbrushes, jewelry, puzzles, Legos, and sewing kits.

No candy, toothpaste, gum, war-themed or potentially scary items, used items, glass, seeds, breakable items, lotions or liquids will be accepted.

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoe box gifts-filled with school supplies, hygiene items, and fun toys to children world wide since 1993.

“Now more than ever children around the world need to know that God loves them and there is hope,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan Purse, the organization responsible behind Operation Christmas Child. “A simple shoe box gift opens the door to share about the true hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.”

The shoe boxes will be given a label to identify the gender and age of the child to receive the box. It’s suggested that the boxes include personal care items, clothing, crafts, and activities, toys, and a personal note.

National Collection Week for the shoe boxes is Nov. 14-21. For those packing their own boxes, the local central drop off location is Grace Church. Boxes can be dropped off Nov. 14-17 (Monday through Thursday) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Nov. 19-21 (Saturday through Monday) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more information on the operation, visit samaritanspurse.org.