While most people in the U.S. are preparing for holiday activities, volunteers in and around Asheville with Operation Christmas Child — the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind — are filling shoebox gifts with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for needy children overseas.

This year-round project of international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, is ramping up as local businesses, churches, schools and community groups prepare to collect 36,000 gift-filled shoe boxes during National Collection Week, Nov. 12–19. Judy Jackson of Mill Spring is the Blue Ridge Area team community relations coordinator.

“We are so excited about Operation Christmas Child this year knowing that people like you are wanting and willing to help needy children all over the world who live in poverty, famine and disease areas with gift filled shoe boxes,” said Jackson.

Anyone in Polk or Rutherford counties can drop off a packed shoebox at one of sites listed below. Then, using whatever means necessary, the shoe box gifts will be hand-delivered to hurting children in 100 countries around the world.