Despite a global pandemic, millions of shoebox packers shared the true meaning of Christmas last year.
Nationwide generosity in 2021 contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child. Across Australia and New Zealand, the project collected 210,182 gifts in 2021.
Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2021, the ministry is now sending more than 10.5 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide.
“In a year filled with uncertainty, we praise God for the opportunity to continue reaching children around the world with gift-filled shoeboxes that bring so much joy,” said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse. “These gifts provide a tangible expression of love and open doors for sharing the life-changing hope of Jesus Christ.”
Each gift-filled shoebox—packed with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items—is a tangible expression of God’s love, and it is often the first gift these children have ever received. Through the continued generosity of participants since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 198 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.
Many children who receive these shoebox gifts will also enrol in Operation Christmas Child’s 12 lesson discipleship program, The Greatest Journey. This program teaches children about God’s amazing love and guides them through what it means to faithfully follow Jesus Christ.
Although local dropoff locations for gifts are closed until October 2022, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online.
For more information about how you can get involved year-round click here.