Through Operation Christmas Child, the world's largest Christmas project, Frederick residents are packing shoebox gifts for children living in more than 100 countries suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, famine and poverty. From Frederick , gifts will be sorted and sent using whatever means necessary -- sea containers, trucks, trains, airplanes, boats, camels, even dog sleds -- to reach the children.

"Operation Christmas Child is a unique opportunity to do something as simple as packing a shoebox that will have a lasting impact on a child a world away," said Laura Welker, Operation Christmas Child drop-off site coordinator. "We are excited about the 2009 collection season as community members have already begun packing shoebox gifts."

Operation Christmas Child uses tracking technology that allows donors to "follow your box" to the destination country where it will be hand-delivered to a child in need. To register shoebox gifts and find out which country they are delivered to, use the EZ Give donation form found at www.samaritanspurse.org.

Local collection sites include:

Trinity United Methodist Church, 703 W. Patrick St., Frederick -- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4:30 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; 1 to 6 p.m. Nov. 21 and 22.

Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, 3519 Urbana Pike, Frederick -- noon to 4 p.m. Monday; 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday; noon to 3 p.m. Wednesday; 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday; 4 to 8 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 21; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 22.

Bush Creek Church of the Brethren, 4821A Green Valley Road, Monrovia -- 9 to 2 p.m. Monday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday; 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday; 2 to 8 p.m. Saturday; 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 23.

Greenwood Baptist Church, 21925 Frederick Road, Clarksburg -- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Monday; 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday; : 5 to 8 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 21; 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 22.

Any questions regarding any of the above locations, call 800-605-8054.

In 2008, the Frederick area contributed 2,615 shoebox gifts to the Operation Christmas Child effort. This year, organizers hope to collect 3,000 gift-filled shoeboxes from families, children, churches, schools and civic organizations in the area.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan's Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, has delivered more than 69 million gift-filled shoe boxes to needy children in some 130 countries.

What you can doto get involved:

Prepare -- Enlist families, churches, scout troops, community groups and businesses to take part in creating shoebox gifts for needy children worldwide.

Pack -- Fill shoeboxes with school supplies, toys, necessity items, hard candy and a letter of encouragement. Step-by-step shoebox packing instructions are available at www.samaritanspurse.org.

Process -- Sign up to join Operation Christmas Child volunteers at collection sites in Maryland as part of the effort to prepare millions of shoebox gifts for delivery to underprivileged kids on six continents.

For information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call 410-442-3701 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org. National Collection Week is Monday through Nov. 23.

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