GALLIPOLIS — French City Baptist Church in Gallipolis is one of more than 2,000 churches nationwide whose members are collecting donations for Operation Christmas Child (OCC).

The week of Nov. 16-23 is national collection week for the annual campaign spearheaded by Samaritan’s Purse, a non-denominational ministry that, according to its Website, is devoted to providing spiritual and physical aid to people around the world. The ministry was founded in 1970 by Bob Pierce, an evangelist and journalist who worked for Youth for Christ in Asia.

Following Pierce’s death in 1978, Franklin Graham, son of famed evangelist Billy Graham, took the reins of Samaritan’s Purse and still heads up the ministry today.

Operation Christmas Child is one of six initiatives that Samaritan’s Purse manages. Each year, volunteers fill shoe boxes or shoe box-sized containers with a variety of items for children, including toys, school supplies, personal hygiene items, clothing, candy, jewelry, even watches, flashlights and other small items.

The boxes are then collected and shipped to the Samaritan’s Purse headquarters in Boone, N.C., for distribution to children in need across the world.

The Rev. Mark Williams, pastor of French City Baptist, said his congregation is accepting donations today through Monday, Nov. 23. Items may be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 to 8 p.m. today through Saturday. Donations will be accepted from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, and by appointment on Monday.

French City Baptist Church is located at 3554 Ohio 160, just north of the junction of U.S. 35 and 160. The church telephone number is 446-3331.

According to Virginia Cook, Southeast Ohio Area Coordinator for Operation Christmas Child, about eight million shoe box gifts were sent to children in 105 countries.