Husband and wife volunteer for Operation Christmas for two decades

BENTON, Mo. (KBSI) –It’s collection week for Operation Christmas!  

Individuals, families and groups across Missouri have the opportunity to pack a shoebox gift filled with fun toys, school supplies, and personal care items for children in need and drop them off now during national collection week, November 17 – 24 2025.

Other states across the US also participate. You can use the drop-locator to find a location near you.

Ran through international organization Samaritans Purse, Operation Christmas works to bring a gift to kids all over the world. 

Ran completely off of donations and volunteers, two volunteers’ husband and wife Joann and Ron Williams are long standing volunteers of Operation Christmas.

Volunteering for nearly 40 hours a week during the holidays for the past 20 years through their church the Charleston Baptist Association located in Benton Missouri.

Residents donate items to go into a single shoebox or donate a shoebox already filled with small toys, school supplies or care items. Volunteers then pack the shoeboxes and ship them to the Samaritans Purse Organization to be dispersed to children in more than 11o different countries.

When asked why they do this every year the Williams simply say ““The kids, like I said, we’re the hands and feet of Jesus” says Joann. “We cannot particularly go to a different country, but, you know, that’s just the joy, you know, that we have, you know, sharing, as much as we can.” 

Southeast Missouri has 6 Operation Christmas drop off locations– Jackson, Perryville, Benton, Advance, Marble Hill and Cape Girardeau. According to the organization these boxes go near and far and provide children all over the world with a shoebox filled with goodies. According to the organization many children have never received a Christmas gift before receiving their shoebox as a Christmas present. Those who want to participate have until Friday November 21, 2025.

The Williams share they typically box up around 2,000 boxes each year. Ron, saying he hopes this tradition continues to live on.

“It’s a joy, you know, the little people, you know, even after we’re done, gone and so I hope they pick up where we left off and they can do it too.” 

To find out how to get a shoebox-How to Pack a Shoebox

To find a drop-off location near you- Shoebox Drop Off Locations