This holiday season, the YMCA of Metro Atlanta is preparing to spread holiday cheer overseas through a partnership with Operation Christmas Child. More than 275 teenagers are filling shoeboxes with gifts including donated toys, school supplies, and personal hygiene items that will be sent to children in around the globe. The teens have a goal to pack 1,000 shoeboxes.
To reach its goal, the YMCA is in need of the following items: toothbrushes, crayons, markers, small coloring books, bouncy balls, small stuffed animals, dolls, action figures, bar soap, washcloths, socks, hair accessories, deflated sport balls with pumps, playing cards and deodorant.
(Due to shipping requirements, liquid donations cannot be accepted).
Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 113 million children in more than 150 countries.
Donations will be accepted from both Y members and the general public until Friday, Nov. 18.
Twelve Y locations across the Metro Atlanta area are participating in Operation Christmas Child: Cowart/Ashford-Dunwoody, Forsyth County, Ed Isakson/Alpharetta, Cherokee Outdoor, G. Cecil Pruett, Decatur, East Lake, Robert D. Fowler, McCleskey-East Cobb, Northeast Cobb, J.M. Tull-Gwinnett, and Andrew & Walter Young.
Here are the locations and times to make a donation:
Drop-off Locations:
Andrew & Walter Young Family YMCA
2220 Campbellton Road, SW
Atlanta, GA 30311
Phone: 404-523-9622
Hours for Donation Drop-off:
Wednesday - Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cowart/Ashford-Dunwoody Family YMCA
3692 Ashford-Dunwoody Road
Atlanta
Phone: 770-451-9622
Hours for Donation Drop-off:
Wednesday - Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Decatur Family YMCA
1100 Clairemont Ave.
Decatur, GA 30030
Phone: 404-377-9622
Hours for Donation Drop-off:
Wednesday - Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
East Lake Family YMCA
275 East Lake Blvd.
Atlanta
Phone: 404-373-6561
Hours for Donation Drop-off:
Wednesday - Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Ed Isakson/Alpharetta Family YMCA
3655 Preston Ridge Road
Alpharetta, GA 30005
Phone: 770-664-1220
Hours for Donation Drop-off:
Wednesday - Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Forsyth County Family YMCA
6050 Y Street
Cumming, Georgia 30040
Phone: 770-888-2788
Hours for Donation Drop-off:
Wednesday - Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
G. Cecil Pruett Community Center Family YMCA
151 Waleska Street
Canton, GA 30114
Phone: 770-345-9622
Hours for Donation Drop-off:
Wednesday - Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
J.M. Tull-Gwinnett Family YMCA
2985 Sugarloaf Pkwy
Lawrenceville, GA 30045
Phone: 770-963-1313
Hours for Donation Drop-off:
Wednesday - Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
McCleskey-East Cobb Family YMCA
1055 East Piedmont Rd
Marietta, Georgia 30062
Phone: 770-977-5991
Hours for Donation Drop-off:
Wednesday - Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Northeast Cobb Family YMCA
3010 Johnson Ferry Road
Marietta, GA 30062
Phone: 678-569-9622
Hours for Donation Drop-off:
Wednesday - Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Robert D. Fowler Family YMCA
5600 West Jones Bridge Road
Norcross, GA 30092
Phone: 770-246-9622
Hours for Donation Drop-off:
Wednesday - Friday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
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