NILES — Every November, thousands of shoeboxes pour into Niles for Operation Christmas Child. Stuffed with toys, school supplies and hygiene items, the presents are shipped across the world. But the boxes could not embark on this journey without the funds to send them to their final destination.

While the holiday season is still months away, Niles Esther Jones, a central drop off center coordinator for OCC, is already preparing for the deluge of presents that the community brings in. This year, she will need some extra help getting the boxes shipped, because previous donors are no longer available to provide the funding.

To raise money to ship the boxes, Jones is hosting a garage sale. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 2 and Monday, Sept. 3, at 1939 Jay St. in Niles. Jones will be selling a number of items, including dishes, decorations, games and puzzles and small appliances to name a few. The items for sale will not be priced. Instead, the buyer will establish their own price.

Jones said the garage sale is an inaugural fundraiser for shipping costs, due to the loss of those prior donors. She said her goal is to raise about $900 to cover the cost of shipping this year.

The community of Niles has served as a centralized drop off location for Operation Christmas Child for 21 years. The boxes come from northwest Indiana and southwest Michigan and are collected at Niles Adventist School, 110 N. Fairview Ave. A number of students also contribute to the cause by packing boxes. In the time that Niles has been part of OCC, more than 300,000 boxes have been distributed.

For many who receive the package, it is more than just a Christmas present.

“This is a package of joy and hope to children,” Jones said. “Most of the time, they have never received a gift in their life. Many times, they can actually attend school because of what is in that box. It’s such basic things, and these children are thrilled to get them.”

Jones also welcomed community members to donate items to the garage sale if they wish. They can do so by contacting her at occesther@gmail.com.

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an organization that ministers to children in war-torn and famine stricken countries with shoebox gifts. The boxes are distributed to more than 100 countries.

Collection for Operation Christmas Child boxes will take place from Nov. 12 to 19, at the Niles Adventist School, 110 N. Fairview Ave.

Jones said the garage sale will give people who attend a chance to make a difference. 

“Come and find a few treasures and bring joy to the poorest children in the world,” Jones said.