Samaritan's Purse Celebrates 10.5 Million Shoebox Gifts Collected for Children in Need

Because of the generosity of donors across the United States, Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, collected more than 8.9 million shoeboxes in 2019. Packed with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene items, these gifts bring joy and the eternal hope of the Gospel to children around the world.

“The shoeboxes open up the door for us to be able to share God’s love with children,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “I want every child to know that God is real, that He cares for them, and I want them to know the true meaning of Christmas, which is God sent His Son to this earth to save them from their sins.”

Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2019, the ministry is now sending more than 10.5 million shoebox gifts to children in more than 100 countries.

Many children who receive shoebox gifts will also enroll in Operation Christmas Child’s 12‑lesson discipleship program, The Greatest Journey. This program teaches children about God’s amazing love and guides them through what it means to faithfully follow Jesus Christ. Since 2009, 19 million children have participated in the program. Every child who graduates is given a New Testament in their own language.

Although local drop‑off locations for gifts are closed until Nov. 16–23, 2020, anyone can still be a part of this life changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online at samaritanspurse.org/buildonline.

Media Contact

Dana Williams,
+1 615-517-1626
dmwilliams@samaritan.org

Samaritan’s Purse is an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by Franklin Graham. Since 1993, more than 178 million Operation Christmas Child gift‑filled shoeboxes have been distributed to children in more than 160 countries and territories. To learn about year‑round and seasonal volunteer opportunities or to serve with Operation Christmas Child, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ.