Thanksgiving hasn't arrived yet but the folks at Lynn Haven Baptist Church are playing Santa Claus already. They're participating in a project called "Operation Christmas Child".

Church members are collecting toys, shoes and other small gifts, placing them in shoeboxes and shipping them to needy children in 100-different counties around the world.
They are hoping to exceed last year's goal, which was more than 7-thousand shoeboxes.

Lynn Haven Baptist Church serves as a central collection point for the shoebox donations from other church groups and private donations.

Matt Pollard is Lynn Haven Baptist Youth Minister.

"…And put simple gifts in it, toothpaste, soap, simple toys, candy and a little note from themselves to the kid who will get the box, something personal. And just bring in to us, November 16 through the 23rd, this week."

For more information about Operation Christmas Child call 265-3688 or log onto: sumaritanspurse.org.