First United Methodist Church in Durango will be among 5,000 U.S. drop-off locations collecting shoebox gifts for children overseas during Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week from Monday through Nov. 25.

The Samaritan’s Purse project partners with local churches across the globe to deliver these tangible expressions of God’s love to children in need. For many of these children, it will be the first gift they have ever received.

This year, Durango-area residents hope to collect more than 7,500 gifts to contribute to the 2019 global goal of reaching 11 million children.

The Durango area collection site will be First United Methodist Church, 2917 Aspen Drive during these times:

11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Monday3-6 p.m.: Tuesday3-6 p.m.: Wednesday11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Thursday1-4 p.m.: Friday11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Nov. 2311 a.m.-2 p.m.: Nov. 2410 a.m.-4 p.m.: Nov. 25