This month, Hillside Community Church in Enumclaw will serve as a collection site for Operation Christmas Child (click here for more info), the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind. The annual Samaritan’s Purse project is a favorite of many Enumclaw residents, families, churches and groups who spread joy to millions of children around the world by filling shoeboxes with fun toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement.

“Through the simple act of filling a shoebox, someone in Enumclaw can make a tangible difference in the life of a child halfway around the world,” Enumclaw volunteer coordinator Pam Stevens said.

At Hillside Community Church during National Collection Week, Nov. 16-23, anyone can drop off a gift-filled shoebox to send to a child overseas. The Enumclaw goal is to contribute 350 shoebox gifts to the 2015 global goal of reaching 11 million children in need.

Hillside Community Church is at 24015 S.E. 436th Way in Enumclaw. Collections will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 16, 17, 19 and 20; 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 18; 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 21; 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Nov. 22; and 9 to 11 a.m. Nov. 23.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization.

For more information about how to participate in Operation Christmas Child call 425-432-4277.