Those who have an old shoebox lying around can help bring joy to a child at Christmas.
Operation Christmas Child, an initiative by the Christian relief organization Samaritan’s Purse, sends boxes of toys and other items to children internationally. According to their website, Operation Christmas Child has reached more than 100 million children in more than 130 countries since 1993.
Jean Henry is spearheading a local effort to collect Christmas Child boxes.
Henry and her three daughters have been coordinating box-filling for the group since 2011. Last year they filled 268 boxes, and have set a goal of 300 for 2013.
It was Henry’s oldest daughter Elizabeth who pushed for such high numbers. Adopted from a Ukrainian orphanage, Elizabeth knew firsthand how special the gifts could be to a child.
“It was literally the only gift she ever got,” Jean Henry said.
Now a student at Virginia Tech, Elizabeth brought the program to her campus, and has received an outpouring of support there as well. Friends of the family have also begun collecting boxes at Old Dominion University and at the University of Virginia.
In Williamsburg, Jean Henry has been amazed to see how many people have stepped up to support the cause. Word has spread beyond just a small circle, and the donations are pouring in.
“We’re all surrounded by red and green boxes,” Henry said.
Those wanting to get involved can fill a shoebox or something of similar size with school supplies, soap, small toys and clothing items, with the box labeled for age (2-4, 5-9 or 10-14) and gender appropriateness. Samaritan’s Purse’s website offers a list of suggested and prohibited items.
Participants can use their own boxes, or pick up a pre-fab one at Chick-fil-A at 6732 Mooretown Road in Williamsburg.
A $7 donation covers the cost of shipping the box abroad, and can be made in cash or check payable to Samaritan’s Purse. Those who make their donation online can print a label to affix to the box and track its journey to a child in need.
Henry is serving as a middle man between local donors and Samaritan’s purse. She and her family will collect boxes from this area, verify their contents and send them off for further distribution.
Boxes can be dropped off to Henry’s office in the Grammar 2 building of Providence Classical School or at room 150 of Jamestown High School.
Henry will be collecting the boxes through Friday in preparation for National Collection Week Nov. 18 through 25.
Contact Jean Henry at [email protected] with any questions. For more information on Operation Christmas Child, visit Samaritan’s Purse’s website.
