SYCAMORE – While most people in the U.S. are preparing for holiday activities, Sycamore volunteers with Operation Christmas Child, the world’s largest Christmas project of its kind, are filling shoe boxes with toys, school supplies and hygiene items for needy children overseas.

This year-round project of international Christian relief and evangelism organization Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, is ramping up as local businesses, churches and community groups prepare to collect 1,250 gift-filled shoe boxes from Nov. 12 to 19.

Anyone can drop off a packed shoe box at First Baptist Church, 530 W. State St. in Sycamore, during collection times. Then, using whatever means necessary — trucks, trains, boats, bikes and even elephants — the shoe box gifts will be hand-delivered to hurting children in 100 countries around the world.