What all fits inside a plain, four-sided cardboard container? A lot more than one might think. Ask the nearly 520,000 Operation Christmas Child volunteers worldwide who know that big miracles often come in small packages.
Operation Christmas Child is an annual initiative sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse. This internationally recognized humanitarian organization spends each holiday season looking out for others by collecting shoeboxes packed by generous donors. Boxes are stuffed full of colorful toys, engaging games, up-to-date school supplies, and necessary hygiene items for children near and far at Christmas time.
Many recipients have never received a gift before. Some live in war-torn or otherwise impoverished areas of the world without access to even the smallest luxuries. Operation Christmas Child aims to give every child the opportunity to receive a tangible reminder that they are seen and loved– by God, and by a complete stranger across the ocean.
Along with every shoebox delivered to a child in need comes the message of hope at Christmas. Missionaries who take part in the final steps of box delivery let children and their families know that Jesus cares for them and is the true provider of the gift.
Shoebox packing is a tradition for the whole family to practice doing exactly what Christmas is all about– spreading joy to the world. Many American families have made shoebox packing a Christmas tradition since the initiative’s inception in 1993.
Some box-packers head straight to local stores to handpick items that will make it into the gift. Others attend church-hosted packing parties to assemble boxes in community with others. Here, assembly-line selections are made to ensure every box is overflowing with both practical and delightful goodies. Project leaders and participants know the impact this program has on not only those receiving, but on the givers, too.
Packers can further personalize their boxes by selecting the age range and gender of the child they are shopping for, with categories for toddlers, young children, and older kids and teens.
Samaritan’s Purse partners with thousands of churches and individuals across the country in order to collect these tangible tokens of peace on Earth.
This year, Samaritan’s Purse outlined a goal of sending 12 million shoebox gifts in 2025. Greene county residents contributed greatly to this effort, with approximately 2,700 boxes donated during National Collection Week, held from November 17-23.
Various churches of all denominations have brought this initiative to their congregations year after year, with some even serving as collection points as well. The Way Community Center in Waynesburg, in partnership with First Baptist Church of Waynesburg, also opened its doors as a drop-off location this year.
By filling small boxes, Greene County residents have brought a little more joy to the world this Christmas season for children in the greatest need.
