INDIANAPOLIS – For one week only, locations around Indianapolis will welcome donations of shoe boxes full of holiday gifts for children in honor of Operation Christmas Child.
Heritage Christian Academy on the city's northeast side serves as one of the donation locations. Students at the school gathered for a ribbon cutting Monday morning to kick off the donation week.
Volunteers pack the boxes, and ship them across the globe for children in need.
Alina Aisina, a volunteer with the organization, remembers receiving a shoebox from Operation Christmas Child when she was 5 years old.
She remembers getting a toothbrush, ponytail holders, and socks among other items.
“There were these pink princess plastic shoes,” said Aisina. “The little girl who packed the shoebox for me actually put a photograph of herself wearing a tiara that matched the shoes, so it was like I had a friend who sent this to me."
The shoebox collection will run through Nov. 21.
To find your nearest drop-off location, click here.
