Yuri Lopez grew up in 14 different orphanages in Honduras, after being separated from her family when she was 2 years old. Her life seemed hopeless. But when she was 6, Yuri received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift and “experienced hope for the very first time,” she said. “Everything in my shoebox was special,”…
Sifting for Hope and Memories After Colorado Wildfires
Standing on the ash heap of what was once her home, Karla Bennett fought back tears as she said, “Your home is like your mother’s embrace, and we miss that. You can be somewhere with four walls, but it’s not the same as what you’ve put around you every day—it’s all gone.” For Karla and…
Operation Christmas Child
Press Release Operation Christmas Child October 12-31-21
Samaritan's Purse Celebrates Over 10.5 Million Shoebox Gifts Collected for Children in Need BOONE, N.C., Jan. 31, 2022—Despite a global pandemic, millions of shoebox packers shared the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season. Nationwide generosity contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection season at drop-off locations for the Samaritan’s…
Health & Medical Ministries
Prescription for Renewal 2025
Registration Event Details Speakers Poster Sessions Travel & Housing FAQ Prescription for Renewal Medical Missions Conference October 2–5, 2025 Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld, Orlando, Florida Register Now * Reduced rates available through September 1 “I got to know more about Samaritan’s Purse and what they do. They are committed to spreading the Gospel. And they do it…
Construction Projects
Home Again
A Samaritan's Purse rebuild project in Louisiana helps the Johnsons return… Home Again The last day Linton Johnson, 84, walked through his old home on Adams St., he shone a heavy flashlight into every room and corner—it helped him to remember. He recalled the house's history in a distinct accent, one formed from many decades spent…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Responding in Storm-Damaged South Dakota
Samaritan’s Purse is bringing relief to areas around Brookings County, South Dakota, after a derecho packing 107-mph winds tore through residential areas in the eastern part of the state. One of our disaster relief units—a tractor-trailer filled with relief supplies and equipment— arrived in South Dakota Sunday night, May 15. VOLUNTEER IN SOUTH DAKOTA Volunteers…
Operation Christmas Child
David and a Toy Car
David and a Toy Car "My interest in how things—and people—can be restored to new life probably started with that toy car." I received my shoebox gift in Romania at age 2, the youngest you can be to receive a box. So, I don't remember all the details of what happened. But my older sister…
Operation Christmas Child
Enrico and a Baseball
Enrico and a Baseball Enrico received a shoebox in Argentina at age 8. Enrico Pellini was born in Argentina, to parents who were passionate about sharing the love of Jesus to their own people. As they followed their passion to share Christ with many, Enrico’s family moved around often, willing to go wherever the Lord…
Operation Christmas Child
Alina and the Princess Shoes
Alina and the Princess Shoes "The shoebox made me realize that Jesus hadn’t abandoned me. It was a representation of His love for me." Alina received a shoebox as a child in a Central Asian country. My family and I had what we needed, but gifts were a luxury we didn’t always get. So when…
Operation Christmas Child
Roselyn and a Picture Book
Roselyn and a Picture Book "My life felt gray. But when my shoebox came, it was full of color." Growing up in Malawi, I loved playing make-believe. That’s what my siblings and I did because we didn’t have any dolls or toys. We would go outside after it rained and mold the clay-type soil into…
