Operation Christmas Child sends gifts and supplies to children all over the world.

Elizabeth Groff was living in a Ukrainian orphanage when she received her gift-filled shoebox.

During the week of Nov. 15 to 22, Operation Christmas Child is collecting shoebox donations. Operation Christmas child collects and delivers shoebox gifts to children in need. These shoeboxes are filled with toys, school supplies, hygiene products, and more.

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Samaritan’s Purse is asking shoppers to put their best foot forward this holiday season and fill a shoebox for a child in need. It’s part of their ‘Operation Christmas Child’ campaign. The idea is to fill a shoebox with items a child may enjoy. Because of the pandemic, Samaritan’s Purse also encourages shoppers to take advantage of their $25 virtual shoebox option. “Most of them will say they just felt so encouraged, so loved to know that somebody out there was thinking of them that they didn’t even know,” said Ruth Ann Vaughan, regional area coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse.

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. - We're about two months away from Christmas, but efforts to help people in need this holiday season are already kicking into high gear. People in Franklin County have supported Operation Christmas Child for decades. We're learning the life-changing impact of their work firsthand. Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.

"When you pack a shoe box, you are a part of something so incredible," Creek said. "Small toys, school supplies and hygiene products," said Penny Denny, area coordinator for Blue Ridge Virginia Operation Christmas Child. "I was transferred to a different orphanage where I received an Operation Christmas Child shoe box and everything in my life began to change for the better," Creek said. She said her story is proving the power that can be packed into a small box and encouraging others to keep changing lives, as they did for her. Operation Christmas Child will be collecting shoe boxes the third week of November.