Samaritan's Purse Celebrates 11.9 Million+ Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts

BOONE, N.C.—The true meaning of Christmas was shared with millions of children in need around the world this year through shoebox gifts filled with fun toys, school supplies and personal care items.

The overwhelming generosity of millions of shoebox packers contributed to a successful collection season for the Samaritan's Purse project Operation Christmas Child. Across the U.S., the project collected 10.5 million shoebox gifts in 2024. Combined with those collected from partnering countries, the ministry is now sending over 11.9 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide.

Shoebox packers brought joy and hope to children around the world through fun, full, personalized gifts. For many children, this is the first gift they have ever received. Each shoebox gift is a tangible expression of God's love, given to children in need around the world. Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 232 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

Although local drop off locations for shoebox gifts are closed until Nov. 17 – 24, 2025, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks at samaritanspurse.org/buildonline.

Shoebox packers often shop for deals on shoebox items throughout the year, and many serve at a deeper level by becoming a year-round volunteer. Information about ways area participants can get involved year-round can also be found at samaritanspurse.org/occ.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, seeks 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 232 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.