<em>Photo above: A little girl in Mexico receives a shoebox of gifts from Operation Christmas Child. Photo courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse.</em>

Operation Christmas Child is seeking donations for its shoebox operation.

The program is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham.&nbsp;

“The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the good news of Jesus Christ,” according to a release.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 146 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 150 countries and territories. For many of these children, the gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.

On Monday, Nov. 13, drop-off locations around the Lowcountry will be open to receive gift-filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child.

During the project's National Collection Week (Nov. 13–20), shoebox donations filled with school supplies, hygiene items and fun toys for children living in poverty overseas will be accepted.

Donation dropoff sites include Community Bible Church at 638 Parris Island Gateway in Beaufort. Dropoff times are 3-6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13 through Friday, Nov. 17; 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18; 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20.

Another dropoff site will be at the Great Swamp Baptist Church, 9009 Tarboro Road in Ridgeland. Hours will be 9-11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13, through Wednesday, Nov. 15, Friday, Nov. 17, and Monday, Nov. 20; 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16; 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18; and 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19.