Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organisation. This project is a hands-on way for you to demonstrate God’s love to children in need across the world by filling shoe boxes with toys, hygiene items, school supplies, and fun gifts. We collect the gift-filled shoe boxes and send them to local partners around the world that use them as a means of reaching out to children in their own communities with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
After receiving gift-filled shoe boxes, children participate in The Greatest Journey discipleship program and millions of children each year are making decisions to follow Jesus Christ.
Since 1993, more than 220 million children in more than 170 countries and territories have received an Operation Christmas Child shoe box, and over 20.2 million children have made decisions to follow Jesus after participating in The Greatest Journey. The project delivers not only the joy of what, for many kids, is their first gift ever, but also gives them a tangible expression of God’s love.
In 2023, Australia and New Zealand sent 218,215 shoe boxes to Cambodia, Ukraine, Philippines, Fiji, and Papua New Guinea. Globally, there were more than 11,330,126 shoe boxes collected and sent to over 100 countries and territories. A simple gift-filled shoe box is making an eternal difference.
Lim is 12 years old and lives in Cambodia. She would love to be a teacher when she grows up. Lim received an Operation Christmas Child shoe box early this year and shared “I was very excited when I received the gift box because it was my first present that I have ever received in my life. I was so excited my tears started to come down with joy in my heart… while opening my shoe box gift, I saw a lot of things that I have dreamed for and I wished I could have, such as hair clips, pencils, dolls, shoes, a bracelet, necklace, colour pencils and a beautiful dress. All these things I never expected to have. I felt cared for and loved by someone I don’t know.”
Almir had to walk several miles to school every day. By the time he headed home after school, he was making the journey in the dark. Almir was so excited to find a torch with batteries in his shoe box gift that would make the long walk easier and safer.
Every year Claudia A from Year 5 runs Operation Christmas Child at her church to help others pack shoe boxes and packs many boxes herself to bless children in need.
It’s now shoe box season again and Claudia has a question for her peers…
“Will you pack a shoe box this year and share the hope of Jesus with children all over the world?”
Lisa Agostino
College Parent/Samaritan's Purse
