The summer of 1993, Franklin Graham received a call from England asking if he would fill shoeboxes with gifts for kids in war-torn Eastern Europe. Familiar with the suffering there from his recent visits to the region, Franklin agreed. Around Thanksgiving, his office received another call from England asking about the gifts. Franklin remembered the…
Operation Christmas Child
30 Years of OCC
Praising God for 30 Years of Operation Christmas Child Since 1993, God has used Samaritan’s Purse to deliver over 200 million Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children in need and disciple 50 million of these boys and girls. When Franklin Graham agreed to fill shoeboxes with toys and other fun items for children in war-torn…
Operation Christmas Child
#ShoeboxStories: Désiré and The Yo-Yo
ShoeboxStories #shoeboxstories is an ongoing series in which shoebox recipients share about the eternal impact of a simple gift. Désiré -and- The Yo-yo God used a simple light-up yo-yo to remind me of His love. I remember walking every day to school when I was young. Most of the time I went without any lunch…
Operation Christmas Child
Packing Shoeboxes in Honor of His Birthday
Today (Nov. 19) is Mason Mulligan’s 18th birthday. Like many, he plans to celebrate by enjoying family, friends, and good food. He also wants to make the day special by giving to others. With the help of friends and family, he packed 77 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes in honor of his milestone year. This would…
Operation Christmas Child
Former Gang Member in Peru Trains to Be a Missionary
Luis Trevejo Peña, 20, had a rough start. Abandoned by his father at age 5, he, his mother, Ricci, and three older brothers were left to fend for themselves in San Martin de Porres, Peru. Luis resented seeing other children with their fathers and wished he could have that sort of love, too. Perhaps as…
Franklin Graham
Newsletter January 2024
Franklin Graham Update | January Franklin Graham Update | January AFTER the SHOEBOX... The Greatest Journey Begins Dear Friend, As I write this, more than 11 million Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts are just beginning their journey—crossing oceans, mountains, and deserts—to delight children in more than 100 countries around the world. We thank God for everyone who prayerfully packed these gifts, and we…
Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox Gift Distribution Brings New Life, New Ministry in Ecuador
Jamyleth’s life changed for good when she was an 8-year-old girl living on a farm in Riobamba, Ecuador. It was then she received a gift-filled Operation Christmas Child shoebox. “I was very excited,” Jamyleth, now 22, recalls. “I had received presents from my parents before, but nothing like the shoebox. My favorite thing in the…
Operation Christmas Child
Five Reasons Students Should Volunteer
Calling All Students! Would you like to be part of a global network of people who are passionate about sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with children around the world? If so, prayerfully consider using your gifts to volunteer with Samaritan's Purse through Operation Christmas Child. Short-term and year-round opportunities are available. Join an army of…
Operation Christmas Child
She Received a Shoebox Gift in Ecuador, Now She’s Giving Them to Others
Diana grew up in Patate, a mountainous region of central Ecuador, in the shadow of the Tungurahua volcano that towers over the province. Her family was poor, so when birthdays and Christmas rolled around each year she would receive well wishes but never a present. Her parents didn’t attend church, but her big sister did.…
Operation Christmas Child
Samaritan’s Purse Celebrates 10.5 Million Shoebox Gifts Collected for Children in Need
Samaritan's Purse Celebrates 10.5 Million Shoebox Gifts Collected for Children in Need BOONE, N.C., Jan. 17, 2020 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…
