A project of the evangelical Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child sends gifts, along with the gospel of Jesus Christ, around the world. Eight countries are reportedly involved with building shoeboxes sent to more than 150 countries with presents and a religious message translated in more than 100 different languages and printed in booklets titled “The Greatest Gift.”

The annual Operation Christmas Child packing party will be at Grace Church, 528 28th St. in Gladstone. After the morning’s church service, all are welcome to join for the packing activity and a free lunch about 11:30 a.m. until about 2 or 2:30 p.m. Nov. 16.

Volunteers will pack an estimated 600 to 800 shoeboxes with gifts of toys, school supplies, clothes and, of course, the booklets.

Organizers in the Upper Peninsula said the annual packing party “is a lot of fun and brings the joy of gifts along with The Gospel Good News of Jesus Christ to children who have never received a gift before, maybe orphaned from the war, or in hard-to-reach countries, or distant islands.”

Volunteers pack boxes with school supplies, one type of item that makes it into the Operation Christmas Child boxes. Other presents include clothes and toys, and all boxes carry evangelizing booklets. (Courtesy photo)

The central drop-off point for children’s presents is Grace Church. The church will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on most days, with a couple evenings and hours on Saturday and Sunday, too. People who wish to participate but are unable to help at the packing party or find time to buy gifts can drop off donations of $10 per shoebox.

For more information, contact Central Drop-Off Leader Greg Pederson at 906-420-0486. For addresses for other drop-off sites, contact LuAnn Lindquist, OCC logistics coordinator for the Eastern U.P. of Michigan, at 906-280-3584.