MANSFIELD — The Operation Christmas Drive hopes to send 19,000 shoe boxes stuffed with toiletries, school supplies and toys to needy children across the globe.
The Samaritan’s Purse effort, operating in Richland, Crawford, Ashland, Knox, Marion, and Morrow Counties hopes to help needy children find a bit of joy during the holiday season.
“The idea is to give them things they need,” said spokeswoman Elizabeth Dawson. “But mostly, it’s about Jesus.”
The collected items will be sent to children in more than 125 countries to help them have school supplies items, toothbrushes and toys, said Dawson, who has worked with the program off and on since it began in 1997.
Last year, 12 million boxes were distributed collectively thorough the International project, Dawson said.
Drop off Locations:
Richland County
Ontario – Freedom Ridge, 2200 Bedford Boulevard, Ontario OH 44906-1101
Monday, Nov. 18: 9 a.m. to noon.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 9 a.m. to noon.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: 9 a.m. to noon.
Thursday, Nov. 21: 5 to 8 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 22: 9 a.m. to noon.
Saturday, Nov. 23: 9 a.m. to noon.
Sunday, Nov. 24: noon to 4 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 25: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Mansfield – Community Bible Church, 1043 Springmill Street, Mansfield OH 44906-1571
Monday, Nov. 18: 9 a.m. to noon.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 1 to 4 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: 5 to 8 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21: 9 a.m. to noon.
Friday, Nov. 22: 1 to 4 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 24: 12:30 to 4 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 25: 9 a.m. to noon.
Shelby, OH – First United Methodist Church, 18 S Gamble Street, Shelby OH 44875-1541
Monday, Nov. 18: 3 to 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 3 to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: 3 to 5 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21: 2 to 5 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 22: 1 to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23: 1 to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 24: 2 to 6 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 25: 9 a.m. 11 a.m.
Crawford County
Bucyrus – Saint Johns United Church of Christ, 120 S Lane Street, Bucyrus OH 44820-2312
Monday, Nov. 18: 8 a.m. to noon.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 9 to 11 a.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: 5 to 7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21: 3 to 6 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 22: 3 to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23: 9 a.m. to noon.
Sunday, Nov. 24: 1 to 3 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 25: 8 to 10 a.m.
Galion – Grace Point, 683 Portland Way North, Galion OH 44833-1151
Monday, Nov. 18: 9 a.m. to noon.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 9 a.m. to noon.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 3 to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: 9 a.m. to noon.
Thursday, Nov. 21: 9 a.m. to noon.
Friday, Nov. 22: 9 a.m. to noon.
Saturday, Nov. 23: 9 a.m. to noon.
Sunday, Nov. 24: 8 a.m. to noon.
Monday, Nov. 25: 9 a.m. to noon.
Ashland County
Ashland -Little Flock Fellowship Church, 1149 County Road 30A, Ashland OH 44805-9422
Monday, Nov. 18: 10 a.m. to noon.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 4 to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: 10 a.m. to noon.
Thursday, Nov. 21: 10 a.m. to noon.
Friday, Nov. 22: 10 a.m. to noon.
Saturday, Nov. 23: 10 a.m. to noon.
Sunday, Nov. 24: 1 to 3 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 25: 9 to 11 a.m.
Ashland – Park Street Brethren Church 619 Park Street Ashland OH 44805-3114
Monday, Nov. 18: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 22: 10 a.m. to noon.
Saturday, Nov. 23: 10 a.m. to noon.
Sunday, Nov. 24: 9 to 11 a.m.
Monday, Nov. 25: 10 a.m. to noon.
Loudonville – Loudonville Church of the Nazarene, 509 N Union Street, Loudonville OH 44842-1041
Monday, Nov. 18: 10 a.m. to noon.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 10 a.m. to noon.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: 4 to 6 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21: 10 a.m. to noon.
Friday, Nov. 22: 10 a.m. to noon.
Saturday, Nov. 23: 2 to 4 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 24: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 25: 9 to 11 a.m.
Marion County
Marion – Dayspring Wesleyan Church, 2431 Marion Mount Gilead Road, Marion OH 43302-8912
Monday, Nov. 18: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21: 1 to 4 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 22: noon to 3 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23: 9 to 11 a.m.
Sunday, Nov. 24: 2 to 5 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 25: 9 a.m. to noon.
Knox County
Mount Vernon – Faith Baptist Church, 8764 Martinsburg Road, Mount Vernon OH 43050-9066
Monday, Nov. 18: 8 to 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 8 to 10 a.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: 8 to 10 a.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21: 8 to 10 a.m.
Friday, Nov. 22: 8 to 10 a.m.
Friday, Nov. 22: 6 to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23: 9 a.m. to noon.
Sunday, Nov. 24: 1 to 5 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 25: 8 to 10 a.m.
Mount Vernon – Brandon Baptist Church, 13513 Sycamore Road, Mount Vernon OH 43050-9419
Monday, Nov. 18: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 4 to 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21: 4 to 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 22: 2 to 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 24: 1 to 6 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 25: 8 to 11 a.m.
Morrow County
Mount Gilead At His Feet Christian Center, 257 Lee Street, Mount Gilead OH 43338-1153
Monday, Nov. 18: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 22: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 24: 2 to 5 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 25: 9 to 11 a.m.
