Collections for Samaritan’s Purse-Operation Christmas Child is underway. Participating in the Operation Christmas Child campaign is easy. Simply fill a sturdy shoe box (or similarly sized storage box) with a mix of small toys, hard candy, school supplies and personal hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap. You may also include a picture of yourself to create a personal connection with the child who receives the box. In addition, Smaritan’s Purse asks that participants tape $7 to the inside of the box top to cover shipping and transportation charges.

Finished boxes will be collected at Life Care’s corporate offices and local Life Care facilities through November 24. They are distributed to children in war-torn and poverty-stricken countries by Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief organization headed by Franklin Graham, son of the Rev. Billy Graham.

Box labels specifying boy or girl and age range are available at Life Care’s corporate offices and at www.samartianspurse.org.

For more information on how you can help our community bring the joy of Christmas to a child, call (423) 496-3245.

Founded in 1976, Life Care is a nationwide health care company. With headquarters in Cleveland on Keith Street. For more information about Life Care visit www.lcca.com.