Christmas ChildFour churches in the Roanoke Valley are collecting gift boxes this week for needy children in 100 nations around the world. It’s part of a nationwide effort called “Operation Christmas Child.” Area coordinator Richard Ikenberry says the shoe boxes go to kids between four and 14 years old, and contain things like soap, a wash cloth and a tooth brush and other small personal items that many of these kids have never had before. You can go here to find a link to what items should go in the shoe boxes and where they’re being collected.