Christmas spirit arrives early at Hobby Lobby

Arts and crafts chain Hobby Lobby is embarking on a mission to give away millions of Christmas gifts to chidren in need this holiday season, a mission that will likely appeal to many consumers in its target market.

The retailer announced is partnering with the world's largest Christmas project of its kind, Operation Christmas Child, which is aproject of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham.

"We are proud to partner with Operation Christmas Child to help impact millions of children around the world this coming Christmas season," said David Green, Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Hobby Lobby Stores. "This initiative will help countless lives with a Christmas gift and the most important gift we could give – the Gospel message of Jesus Christ."

Through Operation Christmas Child, families, churches and community groups fill shoeboxes with items like toys, school supplies and hygiene items, creating gifts that can make a significant difference in the lives of hurting children around the world. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to more than 124 million children in more than 150 countries and territories. In 2015, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 11 million children.

"I appreciate the strong moral stand of the Green family and their bold faith in God. We at Samaritan's Purse are excited to partner with them for our Operation Christmas Child project," said Franklin Graham, President. "Hobby Lobby stores have many gifts that are great for filling shoeboxes for children around the world. We look forward to spreading Good News and great joy to more than 11 million children this year."

Hobby Lobby customers can purchase shoebox size plastic containers and items to pack in a shoebox gift at all Hobby Lobby stores nationwide Labor Day through Operation Christmas Child's National Collection Week, Nov. 16-23.