WILLIAMSBURG — Williamsburg-area volunteers are celebrating the collection of gift-filled shoeboxes that will be sent to children overseas, but those who missed the opportunity to donate locally can still do so online.
Thousands of volunteers contributed to Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse by packing shoeboxes filled with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items. The global Christmas project delivers those gifts to children in need.
Pick-up locations closed for boxes made at home in November, however, people who still wish to donate can do so by creating a box online to be sent to a child. Shoeboxes built online go to some of the hardest-to-reach areas in the world, according to Samaritan’s Purse, the founding organization behind Operation Christmas Child.
Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can browse samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.
According to Samaritan’s Purse, the purpose of the project is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 198 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Operation Christmas Child will collect its 200-millionth shoebox.
For more information about Samaritan’s Purse or the process of building a box, visit the online webpage.
