First Baptist Church collecting ‘Operation Christmas Child’ boxes

First Baptist Church of Gaffney is again this year a relay center for “Operation Christmas Child,” a project of Samaritan’s Purse. National collection week will be Monday, Nov. 16, through Sunday, Nov. 22.

The church's collection hours will be Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon; and Sunday, 2-6 p.m. A truck will be parked near the church’s playground beside the Life Center.

If you would like to donate a box, use an empty shoe box (standard size) or a small plastic container. Fill for a boy or girl – ages 2-4, 5-9 or 10-14 – with a variety of items, including toys, school supplies, hygiene items and a personal note about yourself. All hard candies should be enclosed in zipper lunch bags. Do not include used, damaged or war-related items or figures, chocolate, food, liquids, lotions, medications, vitamins, aerosol cans or breakable items.

Also include a $7 donation to help cover shipping and other project costs. New this year, you can give online at www.samaritanspurse, org/ezgive and follow the destination of your box.

For more information, call Karla Lavender at First Baptist Church, 864- 489-6064.