Millions of Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts are packed for boys and girls in need around the world each year, many of which include an email or physical address inviting the child to write back. If you have ever packed one of those boxes and wished you could hear from the child who received it,…
Discipleship, Education & Training
Operation Heal Our Patriots 2023 Special Report
2023 Special Report
Operation Christmas Child
Press Release Operation Christmas Child October 10-12-21
NOV. 15 – 22: Drop-Off Sites to Open for Operation Christmas Child BOONE, N.C., Oct. 12, 2021—More than 4,500 locations will open to collect Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts for the Samaritan’s Purse project. Volunteers are preparing to collect shoebox gifts during National Collection Week, Nov. 15–22, offering a curbside option. Operation Christmas Child has…
Operation Christmas Child
Opening Eyes and Ears in Ecuador
Nestled in the mountains of the Pichincha province of Ecuador, Pastor Segundo Santacruz leads a large church that meets in a very small building. “Amor a la Vida” (Love for Life), as the congregation is called, reaches out to the Quechua community around them in a variety of creative ways. They provide food for their…
Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox Gifts Open Gospel Doors Among Benin’s Unreached Peoples
Ogouleroun was quick with a big smile on that Sunday morning, singing joyfully near the back opening of the rough-built church in a field donated by the village chief. The wooden structure was roofed with dried palm fronds, and Ogouleroun’s hands touched that roof as he worshipped. His tall stature stood out among the other…
Operation Christmas Child
She’s Got a Heart for Sharing Christ Through Shoeboxes
Nine-year-old Ava Smith loves to pack Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes! Why? “Because shoeboxes provide hope for children who might not have any hope,” she said. She became passionate about the Samaritan’s Purse project three years ago when she packed her first shoebox gift at her Christian school in Felton, Delaware. Ava then shared her enthusiasm…
Operation Christmas Child
Seeing with New Eyes
In many parts of Togo to be born blind is to be born cursed. Families and communities superstitiously fear the disability. Annani, who is visually impaired rather than totally blind, was nevertheless rejected by his father and scorned by teachers and classmates. In the latter case, he was shamed because he couldn’t see the blackboard…
Operation Christmas Child
The Love Behind a Shoebox Gift Surprised a Girl in Cambodia
Boun Thorne grew up in a boat village in the Southeast Asian nation of Cambodia. In the aftermath of a terrible situation, she moved at age 10 to a safe house where she received Bible teaching and an Operation Christmas Child shoebox—her first gift ever! When Boun inquired why someone would send her a gift,…
Operation Christmas Child
5 Creative Ideas for Shoebox Packing
Shoebox season is here! As you pray about how your shoebox can bring great joy and the Good News of Jesus Christ to boys and girls in need, take a moment to check out our short list of innovative packing ideas. If you implement one or more of these suggestions and choose quality gifts, then…
Crisis & Disaster Response
God’s Hand Evident as Tanzania Crash Survivors Return Home
UPDATED AUGUST 18 Three months ago, three Tanzanian children were airlifted on gurneys to the United States in critical condition and faced an unknown future. Today, Sadhia, Wilson, and Doreen arrived back home in the same Samaritan’s Purse DC-8 that flew them half-way around the world for lifesaving medical care. Our aircraft took off the…
