GAINESVILLE - While most people in the U.S. are preparing for holiday activities, Gainesville volunteers with Operation Christmas Child - the world's largest Christmas project of its kind - are filling shoe box 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 and community groups prepare to collect 15,800 gift-filled shoe boxes during National Collection Week (Nov. 12