As the holiday season rapidly approaches, many people are in search of ways that they can assist in spreading holiday cheer to others. Operation Christmas Child is a nationwide event hosted by Samaritan’s Purse. People are packing shoeboxes from all around the United States and shipping them to areas of the world where children may not get to celebrate Christmas due to their circumstances.

Samaritan’s Purse is dedicating their time to evangelism. Their mission statement is to administer “spiritual and physical aid to hurting people around the world.” The “nondenominational evangelical Christian organization” has dedicated its efforts to assisting victims of famine, war, and natural disasters through fellowship.

Central is getting involved with the program via its Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) club. On, Friday, November 15, Central’s FCA program packed boxes to send to Samaritan’s Purse.

Junior and FCA member Ashlee Smith is glad to participate in such an event and has already purchased items to include in the boxes.

“[The] FCA is packing boxes, and I was lucky enough to [be able to] go out and buy things that I can pack in shoeboxes for the kids,” stated Smith. “Hopefully, this will be a good opportunity for me to bring light into a child’s life.”

Junior Skyler Woodward, who is also an FCA participant, is thankful for the chance to spread God’s love through a program like Operation Christmas Child.

“Operation Christmas Child is a way to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need all around the world,” said Woodward.

She continued by saying, “I am very lucky to have [such an] opportunity through Central FCA because we get a chance to put a smile on little kids’ faces.”

To make a shoebox, start with an average-size cardboard or plastic shoebox. Then, decide whether to pack a box for a girl or a boy from a specific age group. One can choose to donate to 2 to 4-year-olds, 5 to 9-year-olds, or 10 to 14-year-olds. Next, select a medium or large item, such as a soccer ball with an air pump or a stuffed animal, then, fill the box with other fun toys, hygiene items, and school supplies.

A nine dollar donation is required to provide collecting, processing, shipping, and other project costs. You can make the donation online and print out the shipping label in the comfort of your own home. The last step is to take your shoebox gift to a local drop-off location during National Collection Week, which is from November 18th to November 25th. 

Visit the Samaritan’s Purse website for more information.