5 THINGS TO KNOW: How to help international children through Operation Christmas Child

Derrick James, McAlester News-Capital, Okla.
·2 min read

Nov. 15—Samaritan's Purse gives information on how to help the organization's cause of donating shoeboxes full of hygiene items, toys, and school supplies to children living across the world. The organization's national collection week runs through Nov. 20.

1 What is Operation Christmas Child?

Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse, an international relief organization. Our mission is to provide local partners around the world with shoeboxes filled with small toys, hygiene items, and school supplies as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ. We ship these simple gifts outside the United States to children affected by war, poverty, natural disaster, famine, and disease.

2 Who started the program?

The program was started in the United Kingdom in 1990 by Dave and Jill Cooke. Three years after this beginning, the Wales-based shoebox gift project merged in a partnership with Samaritan's Purse, allowing us to share 20 years of expertise in relief and aid work with the project, and expand the reach of the shoebox gifts to more than 28,000 children that year. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has delivered gift-filled shoeboxes to over 209 million children in more than 170 countries and territories.

3 Why shoebox gifts?

Shoebox gifts demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. By partnering with the local church worldwide, each shoebox gift is a powerful tool for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

4 What is allowed to be shipped and how do I pack a shoebox?

Information on what is accepted and how to pack it can be found by visiting www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/frequently-asked-questions/

5 Is there a place in McAlester to drop off my shoebox?

Yes, shoeboxes and donations can be dropped off at Lakewood Christian School. More information about hours donations are accepted can be found by calling 918-426-2000. Other drop-off locations can be searched by visiting www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/

—Derrick James