Three churches in Suffolk are serving as drop-off locations for Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes this year.

The ministry of Samaritan’s Purse annually collects more than eight million gift-filled shoeboxes to distribute to needy children in countries around the world, including some areas of the United States. A couple churches in Suffolk are serving as collection centers during National Collection Week, Nov. 16-23.

Tammy and Mike Lindsay are the Western Tidewater area coordinators. Their family got involved about 12 years ago as a way to honor their twin babies, who died in utero.

“We never really thought anything positive could come from that, but this project has come from it,” Tammy Lindsay said. “We would try to do something for a child in need just to remember our twins.”

They started with two boxes and started doubling it each year. In 2009, they thought about scaling back but, only two days after talking about that, received a letter from a girl in the Dominican Republic who had received one of the boxes.

“It kind of just changed our life,” Lindsay said. “She was telling us in her letter that they totally depended on God for everything, and they were very poor, but they totally relied on God.”

The Lindsays joined the team of local volunteers three years ago and were asked to serve as area volunteers two years ago.

People who send shoeboxes typically fill them with items such as school supplies, hygiene products, small toys, shoes, candy and other small gifts.

When the shoeboxes are handed out to the needy children, the children receive literature in their language about “The Greatest Gift” of Jesus Christ. They also get the opportunity to participate in a follow-up Bible study called “The Greatest Journey.”

“It’s not only an opportunity for a child in need to get a box; it’s also an opportunity for them to hear the gospel for the first time,” Lindsay said.

The Lindsays and their three children enjoy packing their boxes together, but anybody can do it.

“You can be 2 years old and help your family pick out some small gifts, or you can be 90 and make handmade washcloths to put in the boxes,” Lindsay said. “We love when children pack the boxes, because it’s children helping children.”

Lindsay said those who cannot pack a box are encouraged to pray for the ministry.

For more information, visit www.samaritanspurse.org/occ.

How to pack a shoebox:

Get your box

Use an empty shoe box (standard size) or a small plastic container. Shoebox-size plastic containers can be used by the recipients to carry water. You can wrap the box (lid separately), but wrapping is not required. Most importantly, pray for the child who will receive your gift.

Boy or girl?

Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14. Print out the appropriate label by downloading the artwork from the Operation Christmas Child website or picking up labels at a local participating church. Mark the correct age category on the label, and tape the label to the top of your box.

Fill with gifts

Fill the box with a variety of gifts that will bring delight to a child. See below for gift suggestions.

Include your donation

Donate $7 or more for each shoebox you prepare to help cover shipping and other project costs. You can write a check to Samaritan’s Purse (note “OCC” on memo line) and place it in an envelope on top of the gift items inside your box. If you or your family are preparing more than one shoe box, make one combined donation. You can also make the donation online and get a label that will track your box, enabling you to know which country it went to.

Drop off at a local church

Place a rubber band around each closed shoebox and drop off at the closest collection center between Nov. 16 and 23.

Gift ideas

• Toys: Small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries), Slinky
• School supplies: Pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, riting pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books
• Hygiene items: Toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.
• Other: Hard candy and lollipops (double bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)
• A personal note: In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. (If you include your name and address, the child may write back.)
• Do not include: Used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans

Local Collection Centers

South Quay Baptist Church

9617 S. Quay Road

• Nov. 16: 3 to 6 p.m.
• Nov. 17: 9 a.m. to noon
• Nov. 18: 3 to 6 p.m.
• Nov. 19: 4 to 6 p.m.
• Nov. 20-22: 3 to 6 p.m.
• Nov. 23: 9 to 10 a.m.

James River Community Church

8909 Eclipse Drive

• Nov. 16-19: 6 to 8 p.m.
• Nov. 20: 9 a.m. to noon
• Nov. 21: 8 a.m. to noon
• Nov. 22: 3 to 6 p.m.
• Nov. 23: 9 a.m. to noon

Southside Baptist Church

617 Carolina Road

• Nov. 16-22: 9 a.m. to noon
• Nov. 23: 9 to 11 a.m.