Operation Christmas Child, an annual project led by Samaritan’s Purse, is underway, inviting local communities to help pack shoe boxes filled with essential items and gifts for children around the world. Each box contains supplies and a message of hope, as well as a personal letter from the donor, making it a unique, impactful gift for many children in need. For some, it’s the only gift they’ll ever receive, says local area coordinator Mark Hubbard. “For many of these children, these shoe boxes are the first and only gift they ever get,” he said.
Mark and his wife, Tammy, became involved after Tammy visited a processing center and felt deeply moved by the program. Soon, they took on roles as project leaders at their church and eventually became area coordinators for the Blue Ridge Team. Now, they help coordinate the packing of boxes for children around the globe, each filled with essentials like toothbrushes, school supplies, and a “wow” item—a special toy such as a yo-yo or a doll.
“Children can’t go to school because they don’t have pencils or paper,” Tammy Hubbard said, emphasizing the importance of including these small yet crucial items. For recipients, these boxes provide tools that improve their daily lives and even help them access education.
In each box, a personal letter from the donor is placed on top, making the gift feel personal and special. Some children have even reached out to their donors to express gratitude. Tammy Hubbard recalled one story where a recipient from a distant village was determined to thank a team member. “Somebody in the village saw it and her email, and they were adamant about getting in touch with that person to let her know that they got her box,” she said.
For children in remote or conflict-stricken regions, items that are common in the U.S. can be life-changing. “It’s unimaginable for someone here to think about,” said Mark Hubbard. “They’re talking about getting a toothbrush in their box, but they were in an orphanage sharing a toothbrush with 26 people.”
Beyond physical gifts, Operation Christmas Child offers a 12-lesson course called “The Greatest Journey,” which teaches children about Christian faith and how to share it with others. “A lot of them accept Christ through this ministry,” Mark Hubbard said, adding that some children go on to start churches or volunteer with Operation Christmas Child when they grow up.
For those interested in participating, Mark Hubbard emphasized that boxes can be packed from home, with an online option for added convenience. A $10 donation is requested for each box to help cover the cost of transportation and minister training. Donors can also choose to include a copy of The Greatest Journey, a booklet that further introduces children to the teachings of Jesus.
Some donors even choose to pack boxes in honor of loved ones. “You can do it in memory or honor of your parents or spouses,” Tammy Hubbard said, noting that it’s a meaningful way to give back. Each box can be tracked after it’s sent to the processing center, allowing donors to follow their gift’s journey.
The couple were touched by last year’s community turnout, with more than 16,000 boxes packed between the Franklin and Henry County areas. This year, they’re hoping to surpass 17,000. Since Operation Christmas Child began in 1993, more than 220 million shoe boxes have been delivered to children worldwide.
Shoe boxes will be accepted at four area churches from November 18 through November 25. For details on packing tips, drop-off locations, and times, visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org.
