Ben Smith knows the power of a good story and the difference it can make in people’s lives. Hearing stories about how Operation Christmas Child helped bring the Gospel to children around the world fueled his involvement in the Samaritan’s Purse project from the very beginning. As a child, he packed shoebox gifts with his…
Operation Christmas Child
Shanika & Sherika and the Mittens
“We received mittens in our shoebox gifts in Jamaica at age 8. Before this, our father cut a notebook and pencil in half so we’d have school supplies.” We grew up in rural Jamaica sharing most things, not because we’re twins but because it was a necessity for our family to make ends meet. Our…
50 Years of Ministry
100 Million Shoebox Gifts Collected
Evilyn Pinnow, a then 12-year-old from Wisconsin, traveled more than 5,000 miles across the United States collecting items to place inside Operation Christmas Child’s symbolic 100 millionth shoebox before she headed to the Dominican Republic to place it into the hands of a precious child in need. In California, friends of the ministry added socks…
Operation Christmas Child
Family Resources
Focus on the Family Our friends at Focus on the Family put together this video about one family’s tradition of packing shoebox gifts with Operation Christmas Child. How can you start a shoebox tradition with your own family? Explore our resources below! 7 Ideas for Family Impact Pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child…
Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox Gifts Encourage Venezuelan Migrants in Colombia
Well more than 2 million Venezuelans have left their nation over the past few years, many fleeing to neighboring Colombia. They’re leaving because the situation in Venezuela is bleak—with runaway inflation, increasing crime, and critical shortages of food and medicine. As the economy collapses, families simply can’t afford to eat. Some Venezuelans go back and…
Media
Hurricane Ian Response
Media Resources Media Requests Press Releases Fact Sheets B-roll Audio PSA Photos Hurricane Ian Response Press Kit Press Releases October 6 Franklin Graham is Going to Southwest Florida to Encourage People Devastated by Hurricane Ian and Thank Volunteers Serving on the Ground Samaritan’s Purse has mobilized an army of 550 volunteers—with 2,500 more on the…
Operation Christmas Child
Mission and History
Mission & History Mission The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to provide God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Franklin Graham leads a team to deliver Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to boys and girls…
Operation Christmas Child
Mission and History
Mission & History Mission “Let the children come to Me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14, ESV The mission of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world. Through this project, Samaritan’s Purse partners with the…
Operation Christmas Child
Year-round Volunteer: Thinking Locally—and Globally—with Operation Christmas Child
Ben Smith serves in media support with Operation Christmas Child in southwest Indiana. Thinking Locally—and Globally—with Operation Christmas Child Indiana year-round volunteer plays a crucial role in promoting local involvement with the worldwide project that delivers shoebox gifts to children in need. Ben Smith knows the power of a good story and the difference it…
Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox Gifts Help Churches Share the Gospel Across Ukraine
Millions of children have fled to western Ukraine or left the country entirely since war broke out last February. Each of them has a different story of confusion, fear, and trauma. Churches across Ukraine are meeting the practical needs of the displaced in many ways, including providing shelter and food. Samaritan’s Purse alone has provided…
