Share the Good News of Jesus Christ in more
than 100 countries by volunteering with Operation Christmas
Child. Samaritan's Purse collects, processes, and sends
gift-filled shoeboxes generously packed by individuals like
you, along with Gospel booklets in nearly 100 languages, to
ministry partners around the world.
Children + Families
Many shoebox recipients participate in our
follow-up
discipleship program, The Greatest Journey. Through the
12-lesson Bible-based series, millions of children have
decided to follow Christ. In many cases, family members are
drawn to faith in Jesus through the testimony of the boys
and girls.
Worldwide Network
More than 10,000 volunteers in the United
States and 10 other countries serve on teams in their local
communities to promote the ministry and collect
shoebox gifts.
Unique Fit
Find a role suited to your unique gifts and
receive exclusive
training, online courses, and other resources to help you
succeed. What skills has God given you? Recruiting and
leading? Cultivating relationships and equipping people?
Organizing details and event planning? Facilitating
prayer times?
Volunteer Year-Round with Operation Christmas Child
Join a local team to promote Operation Christmas Child in your
community all year long! Volunteers serve year-round to recruit
and train participants, as well as to coordinate the collection
of shoebox gifts. This requires leaders and prayer warriors,
people with skills in logistics and administration, and those
with the gift of communicating. Find out how you can use your
God-given talents in this effort to lead children, families, and
communities around the world to the Greatest Gift, the Lord
Jesus Christ.
“We depend on an army of Samaritan's Purse volunteers
to carry out the Great Commission mission of our Operation
Christmas Child project.”
How do you fit into
Operation Christmas Child?
Select the option that best suits you.
Leadership Volunteers
Leadership volunteers build local teams through:
Recruiting, selecting, training, and leading
volunteers.
“In a leadership role,
I
support
and develop other
leaders—building
up
team
members
that
all work together.
Leadership
team members
are
teachers,
trainers, and encouragers, not only
of
volunteers as
they set their plans and goals but
of them
as they
grow
spiritually. This role isn't all
about
checklists.
It's
relational and about the spiritual
development of
the team.”
Church Relations Volunteers
Church Relations volunteers form relationships with
local Christian congregations to:
Inspire them to catch the Great Commission
vision of
Operation Christmas Child to spread the Gospel
to
the ends of the earth.
Mobilize and equip them to participate or
increase
their participation in the project.
Encourage them to use the project as a way to
share
the Gospel locally as they promote community
shoebox
packing involvement.
“Church Relations
volunteers contact churches to
encourage
them
to participate in Operation
Christmas
Child.
You
are giving churches someone to
call if
they
have
questions or need
materials
to
help
them
promote
shoebox packing. That means building
a
rapport
with church personnel. It takes
someone
who
is
patient, enthusiastic, and
persistent—keeping in
time with God, who is the One who
can
open
doors.”
Logistics Volunteers
Logistics volunteers and Drop-off Locations work
together to:
Support and expand shoebox gift collection
in
their communities.
Ensure an inviting and efficient collection of
shoebox gifts that serves as a Gospel witness to
the community.
Assist in goal development and growth
planning
for
area
shoebox collection efforts.
“Logistics is bringing a group of
people together to distribute shoeboxes
around the world.
My job is to get the shoeboxes
safely from here to the
processing center
in a timely manner. I make sure we have
accurate counts. The more detailed we
are here makes everything else
flow easier.”
Prayer Team Volunteers
Prayer Team volunteers lead in prayer and encourage local individuals,
churches, and groups to provide intercessory prayer
through:
Recruiting local prayer team members and
enlisting local church support.
Distributing ministry prayer requests among
the
team and other area prayer partners.
Sharing prayer needs and promoting
participation
at community events, shoebox drop-off
locations,
churches, and other local gatherings.
“Prayer Coordinators have a
particular heart for prayer. They are
willing to spend time praying and
encouraging others to
pray. You pray that God
will touch hearts and move
people. Prayer is always the
most important thing we can do, the
foundation of everything
we do.”
Administrative Support Volunteers
Administrative Support volunteers use their
organizational skills to:
Manage data and resources for an Area Team.
Field local inquiries, connecting people to
the appropriate team members and
project resources.
Organize and update Area Team information,
including meeting minutes, team rosters, and
local volunteer contacts.
“I love to organize things.
I
love
filling in spreadsheets and
sharing
information. It helps me see the
larger
picture. If you have a
natural
inclination toward detail
and
working
computer skills,
this
role might be for
you. It's also about
relationship
building and encouraging people.
The
best part? Watching God work
through
it all.”
Community Relations Volunteers
Community Relations volunteers are ambassadors
for
Operation Christmas Child in their
communities to:
Engage and equip businesses and civic
organizations to become actively involved in
the project.
Speak to community groups about
the project.
Host or participate in events to spread
the
word about Operation Christmas Child.
“We share the Gospel with
businesses to make sure they're
part
of
what the mission is, that their
goal
is
to get others vested in
Operation
Christmas Childand
ultimately in God.
It's one relationship built on
another relationship.”
Media Support Volunteers
Media Support volunteers promote the message
of
Operation Christmas Child in their communities
by:
Publicizing the ministry through local print and
radio outlets.
Sharing stories of local involvement and
coordinating area media coverage
of them.
Providing promotional resources to encourage
community participation in the project.
“You're enabling Operation
Christmas Child to be seen by
people when it goes on social media or on the
radio.
You're getting to talk to people who
otherwise wouldn't
have known.”
Student Relations Volunteers
Student Relations volunteers engage young
people to
participate in the project through:
Speaking to local schools, universities, and
student organizations about how to be
involved
in Operation Christmas Child.
Coordinating local student-focused project
events such as ministry fairs, multimedia
presentations, and packing parties.
Encouraging local campuses, organizations,
and
businesses to partner with students in
shoebox
packing efforts.
“I get to go and interact with
teenagers about Gospel
opportunities,
about what packing shoeboxes means.
The
most exciting part for me is getting
young people involved. It's about
going
out and getting them pumped
upabout
what they can involve their
friends
with, leading and guiding
them to build
their own teams and groups.”
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the
nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all
things that
I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you
always, even to
the end of the age.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What would I be doing as a year-round volunteer?
As a year-round volunteer, you would join a worldwide network
of people passionate about sharing the Gospel with children
and their families. There are a variety of roles available
that do anything from recruiting and developing local teams
to cultivating relationships with local churches.
What skills are required for these roles?
What unique skills or gifts has God given you? Recruiting and
leading? Check out our Leadership roles. Cultivating
relationships and equipping people? Investigate
opportunities in Church Relations. Running a missional and
efficient Drop-off Location? Look into Logistics.
Interceding locally and worldwide? Maybe our Prayer Team is
a good fit for you. Each role highlights distinctive skills,
and every Operation Christmas Child volunteer is fully
equipped and trained for their specific role when they come
on board. Online training and dynamic resources will prepare
and support you in your role.
Where is this volunteer opportunity located?
You can serve with Operation Christmas Child wherever you
are, since we have local volunteer Area Teams in all 50
states and Puerto Rico. Once you apply and progress through
the interview process, we will connect you with your local
Area Team to serve with like-minded Christians in
your community.
Can I do this if I work full time?
We have year-round volunteers in all seasons of life! Our
diverse volunteer base includes retirees, grandparents,
stay-at-home parents, and students, but there is plenty of
room for individuals who work full time with busy family
schedules, too. We offer flexibility to serve in your role
on a schedule that works for you. Our teams work hard and
set big goals. We trust God and see Him work in powerful
ways through the faithfulness of volunteers. Don't let the
time commitment keep you from exploring
this opportunity.
Can I do this if I don't have any leadership
experience?
Every Operation Christmas Child volunteer is fully equipped
and trained for their role when they come on board. Dynamic
resources, exclusive conferences, and online training
specific to your role will be made available to you. We
believe that God uniquely gifts and prepares those He calls
to ministry. You also serve with a local Area Team, so you
have a built-in support system to encourage you in
your work!
Más de 6,100 Miembros de Equipos de Liderazgo Nacionales
Más de 100,000 Voluntarios de Centros de Proceso
Más de 78,000 Pastores y LĂderes Comunitarios
The Greatest Journey Graduation Certificate
Children who complete all 12 lessons receive a certificate at graduation. This official memento of their accomplishment is a treasured keepsake for many.
New Testament in the Student's Language
In addition to receiving a certificate, The Greatest Journey graduates receive a New Testament in their own language. This may be the first copy of the Scriptures they or their family have ever owned.
The Greatest Journey Student Workbook
This colorful 12-lesson resource equips the student to follow along with the story, memorize verses, and do activities in class or as homework.
The Greatest Journey Teachers Guide
This in-depth manual helps instructors apply Bible stories to their students’ lives to encourage the boys and girls to re-tell them to others. With the help of this resource, The Greatest Journey teachers are taught to be good storytellers who ask questions of children to keep them engaged. This method allows nonliterate cultures to participate and equips teachers to continue discipleship lessons with their students long after they complete the workbook.
Hygiene Items
Personal Care Items
Examples include toothbrushes, combs, washcloths, etc.
Would you like to add $6 to send a child on The Greatest Journey?
It only costs $6 to provide lesson books and a Bible for a boy or girl participating in this discipleship program by Samaritan’s Purse.
Would you like to add $10 to give a family a copy of God’s Word?
It only costs $10 to provide a Bible or Christian literature for a family in need through the Christmas catalog.
Gospel Materials
The Greatest Gift Gospel Booklet
This booklet invites children to receive God’s Greatest Gift, His Son, Jesus Christ. It is used in more than 80 languages.
The Ministry Partner Guide
This resource equips local churches with information on how to organize a distribution, share the Gospel, and invite boys and girls to participate in follow-up discipleship.
Clothing
Clothing and Accessories
Examples Include t-shirts (size adult large or smaller), socks, hats, gloves, sunglasses, hairclips, jewelry, watches, flashlights, batteries, plastic storage boxes, etc.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Other
Other
If you have a question about your product or service as a gift-in-kind, please contact us via the form below.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Locations
Locations
Before being shipped overseas, each gift must be inspected and prepared. Millions of shoeboxes and thousands of volunteers take up a lot of space. You can help us each fall by donating empty warehouse space to be used as a processing center. A facility from 30,000 to 100,000 square feet is needed near Atlanta.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Printing
Printing
After receiving a shoebox gift, many children have the opportunity to learn more about the Gospel through our Biblical discipleship program, The Greatest Journey. You can donate printing for leaders’ guides, lesson books, or New Testaments.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
The Greatest Journey
It only costs $6 to provide lesson books and a Bible for a boy or girl participating in the Samaritan’s Purse discipleship program. Learn more →
$6 Per Child
provides one shoebox recipient with a 12-lesson Bible study, a graduation certificate, a New Testament in his or her language, and the guidance of a trained teacher/mentor in the community.
Basic Labels
Only giving online through Follow Your Box will enable you to discover the destination of your shoebox gift.
Follow Your Box
Attach a Follow-Your-Box tracking label to your shoebox, and you can use our Lookup Tool to find out the country where your box will be delivered with the message of Christ’s love.
Why $9
Your $9 per gift donation is critical in helping with shoebox processing, shipping, and gospel materials. Learn more →
Ministry Partner Guide
A step-by-step suggested presentation of the Gospel appears in the Ministry Partner Guide along with a series of two-panel posters that illustrate the text. This guide fosters consistency in how the Good News is presented during Operation Christmas Child outreach events.
La Gran Aventura. Libro de Trabajo del Estudiante
Este recurso a color de 12 lecciones permite al estudiante a seguir la historia, memorizar versĂculos, y hacer actividades en clase o como tarea en casa.
Folleto El Mejor Regalo
Completo con ilustraciones a color, este folleto de historias del Evangelio presenta a Cristo a niños y niñas y los invita a seguirlo. ¡Algunos niños consideran esta pieza de su caja de regalo como su favorita!
GuĂa de Compañeros de Ministerio
En la GuĂa de Compañeros de Ministerio aparece una presentaciĂłn del Evangelio paso a paso, junto con una serie de posters de dos paneles que ilustran el texto. Esta guĂa promueve consistencia en cĂłmo presentar las Buenas Nuevas durante los eventos de evangelismo de Operation Christmas Child.
Los niños que completan las 12 lecciones reciben un certificado en la graduación. Este momento oficial de su logro es un recuerdo preciado para muchos.
Materiales de EvangelizaciĂłn
Folleto de Evangelismo El Mejor Regalo
Este folleto invita a los niños a recibir el Mejor Regalo de parte de Dios—Su Hijo Jesucristo. Se usa en más de 80 idiomas.
GuĂa de Compañeros de Ministerio
Este recurso capacita a las iglesias locales con información de cómo organizar una distribución, compartir el Evangelio e invitar a niños y niñas a participar en el discipulado de seguimiento.
Un Nuevo Testamento en el idioma del estudiante
Además de recibir un certificado, los graduados de La Gran Aventura reciben un Nuevo Testamento en su propio idioma. Esta puede ser la primera copia de las Escrituras que ellos o sus familias han tenido.
The Greatest Gift Booklet
Complete with colorful illustrations, this Gospel story booklet introduces boys and girls to Christ and invites them to follow Him. Some children find this piece to be their favorite part of their shoebox gift!
La Gran Aventura
Una donaciĂłn de $6 dĂłlares provee a un niño la oportunidad de participar en el programa de discipulado de Samaritan´s Purse, cubriendo el costo del libro del estudiante y una Biblia. Más informaciĂłn →
Agrega una etiqueta Follow Your Box a tu caja de regalos y podrás utilizar el Buscador para conocer el paĂs al que esta llegará con el mensaje del amor de Cristo.
Tu donativo de $9 nos ayuda a cubrir los costos de procesamiento de las cajas, envĂo y los materiales de evangelismo. Conoce más →
Machinery
Machinery
Equipment can be given outright, loaned to us for a short time, or donated as a rental.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
School Supplies
School Supplies
Examples include pens, pencils and sharpeners, erasers, crayons, markers, notebooks, paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Toys
Toys
Examples include stuffed animals, dolls, small cars, balls, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, toys that light up or make noise, etc.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Crafts
Quality Crafts
Examples include metalworking, woodworking, knitting/sewing, leather, beading, children’s craft projects, etc.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Transportation
Transportation
In the U.S. alone, millions of shoebox gifts are collected at thousands of drop-off sites in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. We are looking for companies interested in donating or discounting transportation on a state or national level.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Advertising
Advertising
Your gift of print, radio, television, or online advertising or airtime can have a tremendous impact by inspiring more individuals to pack shoebox gifts.
a project of Samaritan’s Purse®
Promotions
Promotions
Gifts such as tickets to events or attractions can provide exciting incentives that can be used during Operation Christmas Child special promotions or contests.