Operation Christmas Child is coming to Shakopee.

A relay center will be located in the Shakopee Town Square later this month for people to drop off shoe boxes of gifts for children in need around the world.

The Operation Christmas Child relay center will be open Monday, Nov. 16 though Sunday, Nov. 22. The center is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Shakopee Town Square will be a collection point for churches, organizations and individuals who have taken a shoe box and filled it with gifts for children. These seven days are universal around the world for this collection.

The boxes will be taken to Burnsville and then on to a regional collection center in Eden Prairie before being distributed through out the world.

Last year the United States collected 4,881,577 shoe boxes for distribution to disadvantaged children. Seven other nations are also involved with Operation Christmas Child for a grand total of 7.97 million shoe boxes given to disadvantaged children to show that people do care.

This is the first year for a collection site in Shakopee, organizer Jim Cox said.

“I think it’s a worthy program. It touches a lot of people, and let’s them know we care,” Cox said.

Individuals interested in filling a shoe box should determine age and gender they’re packing for; pack small gifts; and include a small donation for shipping costs, according to the organization.

Gift ideas include small toys (stuffed animals, kazoos, yo-yos and dolls), school supplies, hygiene items, candy, t-shirts, socks and personal note from your family. Don’t pack chocolate, war-related items and liquids.

Learn more about how to pack a gift box at www.samaritanspurse.org.