Operation Christmas Child Kicks Off National Collection Week in Quincy
Operation Christmas Child's National Collection Week begins Monday, with two Quincy locations serving as official drop-off sites for gift-filled shoeboxes destined for children around the world. The designated sites are Madison Park Church and Columbus Road Baptist Church.
Quincy Hannibal Keokuk, IL, November 12, 2026 — Operation Christmas Child, a project of the international relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, is commencing its annual National Collection Week on Monday. This initiative aims to provide gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need across the globe.
For residents in Quincy, two locations have been designated as official drop-off sites where community members can bring their prepared shoeboxes. These sites are Madison Park Church and Columbus Road Baptist Church. The National Collection Week provides a concentrated period for individuals and groups to contribute their shoebox gifts.
The shoeboxes, which are typically filled with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and a personal note, are assembled by volunteers. These gifts are then distributed to children in developing countries, offering them a tangible expression of hope and love. The specific details regarding the timeline for this year’s collection week beyond its Monday start were not provided in the available information. Similarly, the precise number of collection sites or the expected volume of donations for the Quincy area were not detailed.
Operation Christmas Child has been conducting its collection efforts for many years, connecting churches and individuals with opportunities to serve children facing difficult circumstances. The organization works with local churches and partners in recipient countries to ensure that the gifts reach the intended children. Further information about how to pack a shoebox, donation guidelines, and volunteer opportunities is typically available through the Operation Christmas Child website, though direct links or specific details were not included in the provided summary.
The national initiative culminates the efforts of many months of shoebox preparation and fundraising by supporters. The selection of Madison Park Church and Columbus Road Baptist Church as official drop-off points facilitates the collection and subsequent transport of the shoeboxes to larger processing centers. The total duration of National Collection Week was not specified in the provided information, but it typically spans several days, concluding before the gifts are prepared for international shipment. The exact dates for the end of the collection period were not detailed.
The program’s objective is to deliver not just gifts, but also the message of hope through the story of Jesus Christ, according to the organization’s stated mission. Participants are encouraged to include items that are both fun and useful for children. The impact of these shoeboxes extends beyond the material gifts, often serving as a source of encouragement for the children and their families. Specifics on the countries or regions where the gifts will be distributed this year were not detailed.
The role of local churches like Madison Park Church and Columbus Road Baptist Church is crucial in facilitating community participation. They serve as central hubs for the collection process, streamlining the logistics for donors. The exact operating hours for these drop-off locations during National Collection Week were not provided in the summary. Details on whether any specific community-wide packing events were scheduled in conjunction with the collection week were also absent.
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