Hundreds of Des Moines area kids, families and volunteers will come together to host a celebration kicking off the expected collection of more than 10 million gift-filled shoe boxes nationally for needy children in more than 100 countries through Operation Christmas Child.

Grace Church in Newton is one of several locations where donors can drop off shoe boxes packed with toys, school supplies and necessity items. This local collection point will serve as the shoe box’s first stop on a journey around the world to a child in need.

After the shoe box gifts are collected Nov. 12-19, they will be sent to be processed and prepared for hand-delivery to children worldwide.