It’s that time of the year again; the temperature begins to drop at a steady decline, the leaves replace their green skins with golden yellows and vibrant reds, the sun sets earlier on browned lawns, and winter coats are an obvious necessity. It’s the season of giving, gathering, and celebrating, and members of Fellowship Bible Church in Lowell are taking advantage of the occasion through an event called Operation Christmas Child.
Sponsored by Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child is a program that is designed to give children Christmas gifts internationally in the form of a shoebox. Since 1993, more than 100 million boys and girls in over 130 countries have experienced the power of simple shoebox gifts from Operation Christmas Child.
In order to take part, one can simply pick up a shoebox from a local supporter, such as Fellowship Bible Church in Lowell or Samaritan House, and return it filled with small gifts for a child. It is suggested that each shoebox contains toys that a child will immediately embrace, school supplies, hygiene items, and small accessories. However, the contents vary among individual gifts depending on the contents a participant chooses.
Junior Lauren Cain participates annually in the event with her family, filling boxes for young girls with items like baby dolls, toothbrushes, crayons, notebooks, lipgloss, and other small gifts. The shoeboxes are then labeled with the appropriate age and gender, and dropped off at Fellowship Bible Church in Lowell. Although her participation in the event is based on giving to those in need, Cain receives personal benefit through her support.
“Knowing that I’m making a child happy on Christmas who is less fortunate than me is the best part about participating,” said Cain.
Sophomore Brandon Still shares in the personal reward of helping others knowing that by filling a box he’s making someone smile and changing their life. Still’s personal goal is to give other kids great Christmases like he’s had.
“I feel like we get so much and have so much we take for granted. It’s time to give back to others,” said Still.
Senior Sam Struebing also decided he wanted to share his privileged Christmas experiences by becoming involved in Operation Christmas Child after witnessing his friends participate. Knowing that a child somewhere is going to receive a shoebox and enjoy all the gifts inside is a close second to Struebing’s opinion of the most cherished role in filling a shoebox.
“The best part would be knowing that you are supporting a good cause and helping a child not only have a great Christmas, but helping them understand what the true meaning of Christmas is by giving,” said Struebing.
Struebing, Cain, and Still are also participating in other events like the NHS Coat Drive and wrapping presents for children of imprisoned parents during the season of giving. If you’re in the holiday spirit and desiring to help those in need, get involved and give reason to the season.
