A program of Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian relief and evangelism organization led by Franklin Graham, Operation Christmas Child started in 1993. Shoeboxes are filled with school supplies, toys, and personal items that help introduce children to Jesus Christ.
“We had hoped to collect 2,000 boxes,” said Gisele Campbell, Presque Isle collection center coordinator, “but fell a little bit short. We collected 1,816, which we’re very happy about.”
Campbell has been involved with Operation Christmas Child for four years.
“Last year we collected 1,902, so the numbers seem to be declining, but even one gift is helping somebody,” she said.
Collection sites included the Presque Isle Wesleyan Church, Allagash Baptist Church and the Caribou Baptist Church.
“The collection drive is really non-denominational … anybody can do it,” said Campbell. “Some churches are involved and serve as collection sites, but Operation Christmas Child is for everybody to participate in regardless of their religion. Because the project is for little children everywhere, we want everyone to participate.
“We had participation from the Presque Isle High School Student Council, Caribou High School National Honor Society, as well as elementary school classrooms in Ashland and Caribou,” she said. “We’re trying to increase involvement every year.”
Shoeboxes were filled with everything from Croc shoes, books, clothing, flashlights, calculators, toiletries, candy, toys and school supplies.
“To them [the children who receive the boxes], one pencil is cherished, so a whole pack is overwhelming,” said Campbell. “I wish we could send bigger boxes.”
Once the boxes are collected, they are sent to Boone, N.C. Officials then place small Bibles in the children’s languages and ship them accordingly.
“The goal of Operation Christmas Child is to not only let the children know that people love them, but to let them know that the one who loves them more is Jesus,” said Campbell. “It’s a really good ministry.”
Campbell said the shoeboxes will be delivered to children in more than 100 countries including the United States.
“Gift boxes will be sent to children in the Appalachian Mountains and inner cities, as well as Canada and 98 other countries,” she said. “Organizers have to go through every box to remove the $7 that people put inside of the shoeboxes which helps cover shipping expenses. They also have to remove any liquid items, war-related toys, anything that’s sharp like scissors, etc. By the time they do that and put the Bible in, it will take a while to reach the children. Usually the children receive their boxes between April and June.”
Officials expect some 8 million gift-filled shoeboxes will be delivered to children suffering from natural disaster, war, terrorism, disease, famine and poverty.
For more information on Operation Christmas Child, log on to www.samaritanspurse.org.
