(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

PARKERSBURG — Area volunteers are celebrating the collection of gift-filled shoeboxes bound for children around the world.

Thousands of volunteers contributed to Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, by packing shoeboxes filled with toys, school supplies and personal care items. According to a release from Samaritan’s Purse, the global Christmas project will deliver these boxes to children in more than 100 countries, including many who are suffering from war, poverty, disease and disaster.

Each shoebox is an opportunity to bring hope to children in need around the world, the release said.

Although drop-off locations have closed for the season, there is still time to share with children overseas by packing a gift-filled shoebox online. Shoeboxes built online go to some of the hardest-to-reach areas in the world. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.

“A simple shoebox gift made a profound impact in my own life as a 13-year-old girl growing up in communist Romania,” said Izabella McMillon, speakers bureau manager for Operation Christmas Child. “The brand new items in my shoebox were like a splash of color in my black-and-white world – and a direct answer to a specific prayer.”

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.