Operation Christmas Child volunteers keep busy year-round

Many people enjoy the opportunity to bless a child by packing a shoebox of Christmas gifts to send through Operation Christmas Child, coordinated by Samaritan’s Purse each year. For over 50 years, the evangelical Christian ministry has served people around the world struggling with poverty, the effects of natural disaster, or lack of access to medical care; and delivering Christmas shoeboxes is a big part of their mission to children who would otherwise not have a Christmas gift or know the love of Christ. 

While Operation Christmas Child does in fact need lots of people willing to pack one or more shoeboxes, much more is happening behind the scenes for the rest of the year; for example, maintaining vehicles and equipment needed for relief situations and for distribution of the shoebox gifts in hard-to-reach areas. Another important aspect of Operation Christmas Child is the preparation of follow-up Bible study materials developed especially for children, and training local leaders to lead children and families in studying The Greatest Journey, a discipleship course that connects the spirit of giving with the greatest gift, Jesus. There’s truly no off-season for helping others in need! 

Locally and regionally, year-round Operation Christmas Child volunteers play an important role even outside the busy October and November packing months. Throughout the year, area and regional coordinators are busy organizing and sorting donated items, planning collection and packing events, recruiting and training new volunteers, and sharing the mission with churches and community groups. Many volunteers also spend time praying, individually or in groups, for children who will receive the shoebox gifts; preparing promotional materials; and coordinating logistics to ensure that everything runs smoothly when the peak season arrives. Their behind-the-scenes work helps ensure that shoeboxes are thoughtfully prepared, efficiently processed and packed for shipping, and ready to bring joy, hope, and encouragement to children around the world. 

One of those year-round volunteers is Nikki Storment of Branson, who coordinates a collection point through her home church, Grace Community Assembly. The Storments also provide the use of their business vehicles to transport pallets of collected shoeboxes from Branson to a regional processing center; and Nikki has volunteered at the Samaritan’s Purse offices to learn more about the entire process. 

“As a year-round OCC volunteer, I personally shop for items, especially after-holiday sales,” said Nikki. “I decorate boxes and/or organize box-decorating events so that boxes will be ready for the packing season, and I begin packing my own boxes. I pack a lot of boxes, and it is the only way I can get them all packed in time!” 

She also organizes a church packing party, using items donated by church members year-round. Each month, a featured item is announced for churchgoers to shop for and donate, along with a goal of how many are needed. The church provides space for storing and organizing, a year-round drop-off box in the lobby, and regular reminders in the church bulletin. Monthly emphasis items include small toys or small stuffed animals for different ages of boys and girls, as well as school supplies and hygiene items that can be grouped into kits for each box. Shoppers are also encouraged to maximize their purchasing power by keeping an eye open for sales and seasonal merchandise resets.

Many of us are fortunate in that filling one or more shoeboxes is not a big stretch for our budget; it just takes a little awareness and a few reminders. The long-term impact of a simple shoebox, however, cannot be over-emphasized; and the full effects will likely not be known this side of heaven. This writer’s family enjoyed keeping in touch with a recipient for some time through cards and letters; and Samaritan’s Purse provides testimonials from “full circle” recipients, who received a shoebox as a child, made the decision to follow Christ as a result, and now help coordinate distributions. 

Interested in learning more, getting more involved, or just becoming an educated sale shopper to help bless kids? Visit www.samaritanspurse.org, and also check out “Nikki’s Operation Christmas Child” page on Facebook to be inspired by others as they share packing tips, bargain finds and their goals for the upcoming collection season.