NATCHEZ — Volunteers began organizing Monday what has become a holiday tradition for dozens of Natchez area residents — sending the love of Christmas around the globe, one small box at a time.

Operation Christmas Child’s shoebox ministry has been operating in Natchez for seven years, with approximately 20 area churches coming together to collect shoeboxes filled with gifts for needy children abroad.

The non-profit Samaritan’s Purse organizes Operation Christmas Child. Since 1993 the organization has delivered more than 124 million shoeboxes to more than 150 countries.

Parkway Baptist Church serves as the local collection point and relay center. Organizer Diane Lazarus said some shoeboxes go to third-world countries. Others go to places where there are lots of children and the churches have few resources.

“It’s anywhere where they have children that need to know about Jesus,” Lazarus said.

When children come for the shoeboxes, they are given a book about Jesus in their own language.

First Assembly of God volunteer Beverly Laurant said children are also invited to a 12-week discipleship program. While a limited number of shoeboxes may be available at a location, everyone can attend the program.

“It’s not about what you put in the shoebox — it’s what comes out of the shoebox, which is learning about Jesus and knowing his love and being saved,” Lazarus said. “Eternal life comes out of the shoebox.”

The shoeboxes can be made for children of both genders aged 2-14. Labels for the boxes can be picked up at the center before or during drop-off, along with boxes.

Some suggestions for the shoeboxes’ contents include jump ropes, school supplies, stuffed animals, hair barrettes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, brushes and hard candies.

“They always say put in some things they need and then one that they call a wild item, something you think the kids will really like,” Laurant said.

Soap should be put inside a plastic container or a Ziploc bag. Food, such as crackers, is prohibited, as is medicine and war toys.

“The main thing they don’t want is anything liquid, nothing that will melt or break, nothing with camouflage,” Lazarus said.

It is also asked, but not required, that $7 be donated to help with shipping.

If a box is wrapped, Lazarus said it must be done in a way where it can still be opened and examined before being shipped.

The collection period for the shoeboxes started Monday and ends this Sunday. On Nov. 23, the boxes will be loaded up and shipped off to McComb for the next step in their journey.

Donations can be made at the center or at samaritanspurse.org. If someone doesn’t have the time to shop, Laurant said they could pack a shoebox online at the Samaritan’s Purse website.

Shoeboxes can be dropped off at Parkway Baptist Church’s Relay Center at 117 Seargent S. Prentiss Drive in Natchez.

The center is located in the downstairs area of the church on the lower parking lot side. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

“Anyone who wants to come help at the center is welcome to do so,” Lazarus said.

For more information, Lazarus can be reached at 601-597-3497.