Elizabeth Harris, the drop-off box coordinator for Operation Christmas Child at the Salem Bible Fellowship Church in Lehighton, says this year’s effort collected more than 750 shoe boxes filled with gifts for children.

“So far we have collected 752 boxes, and I am hopeful because we have three days left and we usually have quite a few late contributions,” Harris said on Thursday.

People donated shoe boxes filled with gifts for children ranging in ages from 2 to 14 years old.

“Operation Christmas Child is so important,” Harris said. “Many of these children have never experienced love or ever had a Christmas present. Because God gave us his son as a gift and by giving the gift at Christmas when the children open their box they will feel loved and maybe a discipleship could be formed.”

After the boxes are collected they will be taken to the First Baptist Church in East Stroudsburg, then shipped to Maryland and from there sent around the world to children.