2025 marks the 32nd year of Operation Christmas Child, where children across the world receive gifts and learn about Jesus. Regional Coordinator for Warren and McDonough Counties Kay Stropes shares the local drop-off location and dates:
“What this basically is, you fill a shoebox with toys and school supplies, then you take it to our regional drop-off in Monmouth, which is at the Immanual Baptist Church. Those dates for drop-off are November 17th through the 24th. During the week, Monday through Friday, is 5 to 7 pm; Saturday is 10 am to noon; and then Sunday is noon to 2 pm. Monday is the last day, the 24th, and that is 9 am to 11 am. Then all the boxes get in a truck and go to Peoria, then go to Chicago, and away they go to different countries.”
Last year, in the local area alone, 3,000 Operation Christmas Child boxes were collected and distributed nationwide.
