Gifts are delivered to children all over the world

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – This week is your opportunity to help bring Christmas joy to children around the world.

It’s national fundraising week for Samaritan’s Purse as they take on their project: Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child has been running since 1993. Their goal is to “demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way.”

“It’s really simple. Anyone can be part of Operation Christmas’s Child, said Shelley Settle, regional coordinator for Samaritan’s Purse.

“You just pick out a shoebox, go out and buy school supplies, hygiene items and especially toys,” says Ruth Pinkston, director of delivery service Samaritan’s Purse.

Shoeboxes are stacked high at Porter Memorial Baptist Church in Lexington.

“Overall, our goal is 12 million shoeboxes so 12 million children can be blessed,” Pinkston said.

With a huge target in mind across the country, this is truly an operation to make this happen.

“There is an adhesive label on the box,” Pinkston said. “It has a QR code on it, and you just take a photo of the QR code. You can find out which country your shoebox will end up in.”

Boxes are shipped to over 170 different countries and territories around the world.

“I like it because I can look back even at previous years and see where they went,” Pinkston said. “They went to Togo, Africa and Malawi.”

Each box goes to a child in need.

“In many cases, this is the child’s first opportunity to receive a gift,” Settle said.

Getting something as simple as pencils can be life changing.

“Sometimes a child can go to school because of this gift,” Settle said.

In addition to the hygiene items and toys included in each shoebox, the package includes a personal card and photo of the sender, as well as a small booklet.

“Very colorfully in their language it’s called ‘The Greatest Gift,’ and the greatest gift is our Lord,” Pinkston said. “So this little booklet tells the gospel.”

A simple shoebox filled with love and compassion, bringing pure happiness to many.

“They are delighted; they count down 3, 2, 1 and open the gifts out of the shoe boxes and it’s just sounds of joy, smiles on their faces as they look through the boxes and see things that are now theirs,” Pinkston said.

And you too can be part of the mission that has brought this level of excitement to more than 220 million children simply by collecting a shoebox.

“Just go out and pick things that you think your child will like and want,” Pinkston said.

If you’d like to learn more about how to pack a shoebox, get gift suggestions, or find a drop-off location near you, Click here.

Samaritan’s Purse Week ends on November 25 next year.