Shoebox collection set for holiday

This month, sites in Flomaton, Brewton, and the Monroeville areas will be among 5,000 U.S. drop-off locations collecting shoebox gifts for children overseas during Operation Christmas Child's National Collection Week, Nov. 18 through 25.

Flomaton and area families, churches and groups are busy transforming empty shoeboxes into fun gifts filled with toys, school supplies and hygiene items. The Samaritan's Purse project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God's love to children affected by war, disease, disaster, poverty and famine. For many of these children, it will be the first gift they have ever received.

This year, Flomaton-area residents hope to collect more than 5,630 gifts to contribute to the 2019 global goal of reaching 11 million children.

"I love seeing the local community rally together for a global impact," said Regional Director Shelli Wishard. "We see all ages getting involved more and more every year."

Area collection sites are:

In Atmore, at Grace Fellowship, located at 1412 E. Nashville Ave. The dates and times for collection are Monday, Nov. 18, Tuesday, Nov. 19, Thursday, Nov. 21, and Friday, Nov. 22, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Sat, Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Sun, Nov. 24 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and Mon, Nov. 25 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

In Brewton, at the First Baptist Church, located at 324 Belleville Ave. The dates and times for collection are Mon, Nov. 18 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.;, Tues, Nov. 19, Wed., Nov. 20, Thurs., Nov. 21, Fri, Nov. 22, Sat., Nov. 23 and Mon., Nov. 25, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; and Sun, Nov. 24 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

In Frisco City, at the Baptist Church Goodway located at 334 Main Street. The days and times for collection are Monday, Nov. 18, Tuesday, Nov. 19, Wednesday, Nov. 20, Thursday, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Nov. 22 and 23, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 24 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Mon, Nov. 25 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.

In Monroeville, the First Baptist Church located at 389 Pineville Road. The dates and times for collection are Monday, Nov. 18, Tuesday, Nov. 19, Thursday, Nov. 21, and Friday, Nov. 22, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Wednesday, Nov. 20 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 24 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Monday, Nov. 25 from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.