Many churches, schools and residents throughout Northeast Oklahomans are collecting thousands of shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items this week for Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week, a ministry of Franklin Graham’s Samaratin’s Purse, has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts to poor children worldwide for more than two decades.  There are more than 4,000 dropoff locations across America. The drive ends Monday

“This season, children around the world need a tangible reminder that there is hope and that God loves them,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “Through these shoebox gifts packed with special items, children also receive the opportunity to hear about the eternal hope found in Jesus Christ.”

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 178 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 160 countries and territories.

Churches that were collection points for boxes included:

 Tulsa Bible Church, Believers Church, Southpark Assembly of God, Iglesia Nueva Jerusalem, Christ United Methodist Church, Crossroads Freewill Baptist Church, Bixby Free Will Baptist Church, Eastwood Baptist Church, Glenpool First Baptist Church, Good News Church, Crosspoint Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Sapulpa, Angus Church, Rejoice Church, Calvary Baptist (Inola), First Baptist Church of Skiatook and First Baptist Church of Claremore.

For details, go to samaritanspurse.org.