Local Operation Christmas Child volunteers will host a packing party from 9 a.m. to noon today at New Life Christian Church, 1222 Arsenal St.

Slightly more than 1,000 boxes will be packed with school supplies, hygiene items, stuffed animals and small toys for boys and girls ages 2 to 14 in war-torn countries. According to a recent released statement, children who attend will also be encouraged to write letters to include in boxes.

Operation Christmas Child started locally in 1994 in Boonville. It is a project of the international relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse.

Last year, the Watertown area filled more than 4,000 shoe boxes with goods.

According to the statement, the goal is to ship 15,001 shoe box gifts from items collected in Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, Oneida and Herkimer counties.

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