When Javy Castro and his wife arrived at Samaritan Lodge Alaska for Week 6 of the 2026 Operation Heal Our Patriots’ summer season, he thought he knew why they had come. However, during his stay at camp, he came to a surprising realization. “I came out here to fix my relationship with my wife,” he…
Animals, Agriculture & Livelihoods
Planting Seeds of Faith in Famine-Scarred Niger
The lean season was once a season of despair for many families in Karofane, a village in rural Niger. Halima,* a mother of ten, would watch hopelessly as her children grew thin and weak. Their hair would turn brittle and bleached—common signs of malnutrition. “I would take them to the traditional healer, but still they…
Operation Christmas Child
God Is at Work in Benin’s Furthest Reaches
In the early morning the long wooden boats motored gently across Nokoue Lake, past the small craft propelled by colorful sails, past the fishermen tending and mending large traps, toward the water dwellings of Ganvie. Secured in the wooden craft were hundreds of Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts destined for an outreach event at a…
Operation Christmas Child
American Heritage Girls & Operation Christmas Child
American Heritage Girls and Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week Connect Your Troop to Operation Christmas Child Welcome to the 2026 Shoebox Challenge! 2026 Shoebox Challenge Collection Form Join Troops around the country united in one common focus—equipping the next generation with the tools to treasure and cultivate their relationship with their Savior and King, Jesus Christ. Packing…
Operation Christmas Child
Year-Round Volunteering with Operation Christmas Child
Volunteer Year-Round Volunteer 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…
Operation Christmas Child
How to Pack a Shoebox
How to Pack a Shoebox Operation Christmas Child delivers great joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ to children in need around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes. Each box packed full of quality toys, school supplies, and personal care items becomes a tangible expression of God's immense love for the child. For many, it is…
Media
Biography: Edward Graham
Edward Graham Chief Operating Officer, Samaritan's Purse As chief operating officer, Edward Graham oversees the international and domestic operations of Samaritan’s Purse. He frequently travels to disaster areas to coordinate operations and encourage families impacted by catastrophic events. He also meets with key government officials and church leaders in affected areas to establish relationships and to…
Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child®
Operation Christmas Child Operation Christmas Child delivers gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need around the world together with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Operation Christmas Child
Operation Christmas Child Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions Browse by Category Browse by Category Operation Christmas Child · Project Overview · Global Influence of OCC Packing Your Shoebox · Packing and Delivery · Gift Suggestions · Packing Party Planning Tool · Shoebox Labels · Printable Labels · Adhesive Labels · Tracking Your Shoebox Gift · Build a Shoebox Online ·…
Operation Christmas Child
Family & Children’s Resources
Family and Children’s Resources Lessons and Activities Promotional Resources Videos Articles Operation Christmas Child is a great mission project for kids! Whether you are focusing on packing shoeboxes as a family or as a group during Sunday school, children’s church, or VBS, these resources will help your boys and girls learn more about the importance…
