Steady streams dripped from holes in the roof, and puddles were scattered all over the floor. The rain pounded relentlessly and threatened to drown out every other sound in the small church. But as the wet and windy thrashing continued, the songs of praise soared louder. Rita Danso had just started a Gospel presentation when…
Operation Christmas Child
Children in Benin Hear the Gospel through Simple Shoebox Gifts
Nine-year-old Gladys flashed a big smile as she recounted the day she received an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift. The special items inside included a blanket folded neatly and arranged amid school supplies, a flashlight that her father needed, and other cherished items. Opening the shoebox gift was like opening up a new chapter of…
Operation Christmas Child
A Special Bible, Packed in a Shoebox, Makes Its Way to a Remote Pacific Village
Alex and his parents regularly attended meetings of a local cult for years in their remote village of the Philippines. But, we praise God that last year he heard and received the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the outreach of Operation Christmas Child. Toti Ramos, the pastor of one of our partner churches from a…
Operation Christmas Child
Press Release: Samaritan’s Purse Celebrates 12.2 Million Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts
Samaritan’s Purse Celebrates 12.2 Million Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts BOONE, N.C.—Samaritan’s Purse is celebrating a successful season after collecting 12.2 million Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts in 2025, sharing the love of Jesus with children in need around the world. The milestone reflects the generosity of millions of shoebox packers helping to fill shoebox…
Shoebox Recipient Gives the Gift of Service to Louisiana Homeowners
Karina knows what it’s like to receive an unexpected gift from strangers. One year around Christmastime, a pre-teen Karina and her seven siblings were surprised to see stacks of colorful shoeboxes ready to be distributed to children at their church. Her large family was used to sharing what possessions they had and celebrating Christmas without…
Crisis & Disaster Response
Hungering for More
Five million Venezuelans have fled their own country since 2015. Nearly 2 million have entered Colombia. Scroll for More Samaritan’s Purse is there to provide food and shelter for those who’ve left everything behind. Hungering for More: Helping Venezuelan Migrants in Colombia Colombia Relief 014041 $ Give Hope Desperate need drives this historic exodus. Many of the migrants are…
Operation Christmas Child
Press Release Operation Christmas Child January 01-25-23
Samaritan's Purse Celebrates Nearly 10.6 Million Shoebox Gifts Collected for Children in Need BOONE, N.C., Jan. 25, 2023—Millions of shoebox packers shared the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season. Generosity throughout contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection season at drop-off locations for the Samaritan's Purse project Operation Christmas…
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…
Operation Christmas Child
Discipling Children in the Dumps of Cambodia
Samnang* comes from a family of scavengers, also known as waste pickers—people who earn a meager living by collecting recyclable materials from garbage dumps, streets, and landfills of Cambodia. But God used the new items inside the shoebox gift she received at age 13 to help draw her to a relationship with Christ. Today, she…
Operation Christmas Child
Nancy and a Photograph
Nancy and a Photograph “Through that picture in my shoebox gift, God’s love became tangible and real to me.” I grew up in the Middle East with four siblings and my parents, who worked really hard to take care of us. We lived close to a mountain and it was far away from everything. We…
