More than 4,500 locations will soon begin to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project. Including here in Forks, Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Rainforest Arts Center.

Families and individuals are invited to an early Christmas party not to receive gifts, but to give them away. Join us as we fill special shoeboxes with toys, stuffed animals, school supplies, art tools, brush, comb, washcloth, toothbrush, girl’s barrettes, scrunchies, knit hats, small tool kits, sewing kits, soccer balls(deflated), and more.

You can bring what you would like to fill one (or more) of our colorful shoeboxes or come and pack a shoebox from our supply of goodies. We have a fun event planned for our shoebox packers. You can:Pick up your empty shoebox if you did not bring your own

Sit down and color a picture or write a note to your gift recipient. Put the note in your shoebox.

Walk and choose gifts to put inside. Pray a little prayer for your gift.

Give the finished shoebox to a volunteer who will close it with a rubber band so it can join the other shoeboxes to begin their trips around the world.

Reward yourself with a cup of apple cider and a cookie!

Donations of items to put inside shoeboxes are gratefully accepted.

Operation Christmas Child has been collecting and delivering shoebox gifts—filled with school supplies, personal care items and fun toys—to children worldwide since 1993. In 2023, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoeboxes to reach another 11 million children.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of the international Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse will deliver shoebox gifts to children living in difficult circumstances around the world. It is often the first gift these children have ever received.

For more information, contact 360-640-4931.