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
Hundreds of Children in the Bahamas Receive Shoebox Gifts at Christmastime
Hundreds of boys and girls received gifts and learned about the hope of the Gospel during a series of Operation Christmas Child shoebox distributions on the island of Grand Bahama, Dec. 27-28. The celebration was a welcome time of joy for the children as the island continues to recover from Hurricane Dorian. Local church partners…
Operation Christmas Child
Transportation Photos
Transportation These photographs are available for news media outlet use in coverage of Samaritan's Purse-related stories. If your news outlet uses a photograph, please credit: "Courtesy of Samaritan's Purse." These photographs are not for commercial use. A woman in Ghana puts a heavy load of gift-filled shoeboxes on top of her head in order to transport…
Women's Programs
Mother’s Day 2020
Mother's Day Encouragement fromCissie Graham Lynch This Mother's Day looks a lot different than in years past. The coronavirus pandemic has changed both our daily lives as moms and the way we are able to celebrate this day. Facebook Twitter email Each of our stories and challenges are different, but the coronavirus is the common…
Operation Christmas Child
This Week: Drop-Off Sites Open for Operation Christmas Child
This Week: Drop-Off Sites Open for Operation Christmas Child BOONE, N.C.—As the Thanksgiving season approaches, many families and children are giving thanks for all their blessings and sharing those blessing with children in need by packing shoeboxes with Operation Christmas Child. Shoebox gifts prepared by generous donors and filled with toys, personal care items, and…
Health & Medical Ministries
Bones Made Straight and Souls Refreshed
Umaru loaded his prized bull up on the bed of a rusted truck and shut the tailgate. He hopped onto the feeble wooden frame surrounding his cargo as the engine sputtered down the road toward a nearby market. It was a big day for Umaru. Selling his cow would not only help purchase new calves…
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
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…
Operation Christmas Child
Volunteers Know ‘Each Shoebox Is a Missionary’
When Carol and Pat Nelson volunteer with Operation Christmas Child, they know first-hand how much each gift can mean. Twelve years ago, the Nelsons packed their first shoebox for Operation Christmas Child and sent it off with a letter and a picture. Seven months later, they received a thank-you letter written in French from a…
Operation Christmas Child
Fact Sheet: Pacific Island Initiative
Pacific Island Initiative Overview The goal of the 5-year Pacific Island Initiative is for all children ages 2–14 across the Pacific to have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and receive an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift at an Outreach Event hosted by a local church Ministry Partner. At this Outreach Event they will also…
