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ELKINS -- Operation Christmas Child will begin accepting donated toys and personal goods today in Elkins and surrounding areas during its annual shoebox collection.
Regional Media Relations Coordinator Lucas Zellers said, "It got its start in 1990 with a Welsh couple named Dave and Jill Cook, who were given a burden for children in need in Romania."
The donated gifts, conveniently packaged into shoebox-sized boxes, struck a chord with the Cooks and, in 1993, they brought the idea to Samaritan's Purse and formed Operation Christmas Child "to do that on a much larger scale," said Zellers.
This program has been operating in Randolph and surrounding counties for more than 20 years. Last year, more than 11,000 boxes were donated in the area. The collected shoeboxes are used to benefit children internationally.
"Since 1993, we've shipped to over 120 countries worldwide," said Zellers. "It's over 100 every year."
Zellers also mentioned that the organization aims to gather 11 million shoeboxes this year across all regions.
"Every gift is unique and personal, and it doesn't have to be anything complicated," said Zellers. "It's really about giving a simple gift to a child in need."
When asked about the box itself, Zellers said, "(The shoebox) is sort of the hallmark of it. Each child gets something that they can hold on to and say is theirs, and a shoebox is a great size for that."
Participants are even able to track their shoebox donation, in a rather recent update. Showing participants where the box will end up is a way to show legitimacy and hold interest in the program, Zellers said.
Local Area Coordinator Patricia Parsons said, "It's a way that we can tangibly serve Jesus, with the shoebox."
Parsons has been a volunteer area coordinator for two years but has helped pack shoeboxes for her church for more than 10 years.
"There's a lot of little churches (…) that participate," she said.
Local churches and organizations will begin accepting donations for Operation Christmas Child today through Nov. 25, during the organization's National Collection Week. Elkins volunteers hope to gather more than 12,500 boxes.
In Elkins, drop off is at Big Lots on the Beverly Pike, today through Monday, Nov. 25 from noon to 5 p.m. each day.
One Buckhannon drop-off location is the Wayside Southern Baptist Church, today through Friday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Monday, Nov. 25 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Another location in Buckhannon is the First Baptist Church, with varying hours throughout the next week.
The Philippi drop-off is at the Crim Memorial Church, from today through Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon, and Monday, Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Parsons Church of God serves as the drop off location in Parsons at varying times throughout the next week.
The Beverly drop-off is at Tygart Valley Ministries at varying times throughout the week.
The Tallmansville drop-off is located at the Tallmansville Baptist Church, today through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The drop-off in Mabie can be found at the Harrison Community Church, today through Sunday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and on Monday, Nov. 25 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
In Bowden, boxes can be dropped off at the Bowden Family Worship Center, at varying times throughout the next week.
The Webster Springs drop-off location is at the Calvary Baptist Church, at varying times throughout the next week.
The Marlinton drop-off location is at the Marlinton Presbyterian Church, today through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon; on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.; and Monday, Nov. 25 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.