By The Catholic Week The Archdiocese of Mobile is once again participating in “Box of Joy,” a Cross Catholic Outreach ministry that sends small tokens of love and hope to some of the world’s poorest children. Last season 133,308 children were blessed with a Box of Joy and the Archdiocese of Mobile had the highest participation across the U.S., according to Cross Catholic Outreach. Since 2014, donors from across the U.S. have blessed children with 646,163 Box of Joy gifts. Catholic parishes, schools and groups organize Boxes of Joy by packing shoebox-sized containers with small gifts such as toys and school supplies, and adding essentials like soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, as well as a few treats like hard candy and coloring books. Several ministries in the archdiocese have boxes available. The ministry adds a rosary and “The Story of Jesus” to every box to remind children why Christmas is so special. Participants also include $9 in each box to cover shipment from the local drop-off center to the child. Dropoff centers will be located at Catholic Social Services in Mobile, Our Lady of the Gulf Parish in Gulf Shores, Montgomery Catholic High School in Montgomery and St. Patrick Catholic Church in Phenix City. Participants can also donate a Box of Joy online at https://crosscatholic.org/box-of-joy/online/