The Operation Christmas Child area team of volunteers in Butler and Armstrong counties is celebrating after collecting more than 13,000 gift-filled shoeboxes. The boxes are on their way to children in need worldwide.

The team noted the Butler community’s generosity in support of Operation Christmas Child. It is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization.

Children in some of the hardest-to-reach countries will receive the shoeboxes. Each box contains school supplies, hygiene items and toys.

For more information about Operation Christmas Child, call 410-772-7360 or visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.