Global Goodwill with Operation Christmas Child

November brings thoughts of upcoming Christmas holidays and gifts for family and friends. But for the people who live in poverty-stricken areas, war-torn countries, or places with national disasters, will there be a Christmas? Will the children receive gifts? 

Operation Christmas Child answers those questions. Their mission is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way by sending shoeboxes filled with toys to children who would likely have no Christmas gifts and might never hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

For 30 years Samaritan’s Purse has sponsored this project and partners with local churches worldwide. 

The shoeboxes are filled with toys, school supplies, and hygiene items. Every box is prayed over before it leaves the U.S. These gift-filled shoeboxes have been delivered to more than 209 million children in 175 countries and territories around the world. And though several churches are packing shoeboxes, any individual can pack one, and can even choose whether to send it to a boy or a girl. 

Diane Cantu became involved with Operation Christmas Child while attending their annual conference in Orlando, Florida earlier this year. “I was amazed by the number of countries (106) represented and the number of people (4,400) attending,” stated Diane who now volunteers as a church relations team member. 

“This is the most impactful and far-reaching ministry I have ever heard of— children reaching children across the world through the gift of a shoebox. You can even include a letter and picture and possibly receive a return message from the child who receives your gift.” She added, “I was totally sold, I wanted to be part of this incredible organization.”

These gift-filled shoeboxes have been delivered to more than 209 million children in 175 countries. 

The 2023 Global goal is 11 million shoeboxes with 9.7 million sent from the United States. Partnering countries complete the total. “This is a wonderful holiday project for friends and family to pack a shoebox, light up a child’s Christmas, and offer the love of Jesus around the world.” Diane explained, “There’s even an option to create a box online by going to the website, samaritanspurse.org and clicking on ‘Build A Shoebox Online.’ ” 

National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child is November 13-20. First Christian Church, located at 2nd and Boulevard, is the central drop-off area in Edmond. For more information contact Carolyn Edwards-Johnson at lmcejohnson@yahoo.com. 

Packing shoeboxes can be a great family project. Years ago, when my son, Jay was young we learned about Operation Christmas Child and decided to fill a shoebox for a boy, making it easier for Jay to shop by picking out things he would also like for Christmas. As requested we chose small toys, a toothbrush, and hygiene items, as well as a knit scarf, flashlight, Yo-Yo, and more. 
A few years after the project began, Franklin Graham, founder of Samaritan’s Purse, published a picture book, Miracle in a Shoebox, about a young boy packing a shoebox. As it turned out, the child in the story was named Jay. How perfect! I bought the book and told my son they had written a story about him sending the Christmas box we had packed. Naturally, we packed another shoebox! 

– Louise