61 Million Shoe Box Gifts and Counting . . .

It's Never too Early to Start Spreading Christmas Cheer - Join the Effort to Help Millions of Needy Children Worldwide

BOONE, N.C., March 25, 2008—Operation Christmas Child-the world's largest Christmas project-has collected more than 61 million shoe box gifts in just 15 years of operation. A project of international relief organization Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child brings gifts of hope to millions of needy children through simple shoe box gifts.

In 2007, some 8 million suffering children in more than 100 countries received personal shoe box gifts filled with simple things most people take for granted-soap, toothbrushes, school supplies, candy, and other necessity items. For many of these children, the shoe box gift will be the first gift they have ever received. Thanks to caring individuals, families, schools, churches, civic clubs and other organizations in thousands of cities in all 50 states and 10 additional countries these suffering children will receive a little bit a hope in the form of a simple shoebox gift.

Why now-months before the holiday season?
Although National Collection Week is Nov.  17-24, Operation Christmas Child is not limited to just one week a year or during the holiday season. It is a year-round project, requiring months of organization and preparation to reach millions of kids around the world.  Volunteers and shoe box gifts are needed during all seasons to help spread Christmas cheer in such a big way.

"This is a great opportunity, not only to bring hope and joy to a hurting child's life, but to also teach children in this country about generosity and compassion," said Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan's Purse.

The gifts will be collected in 11 countries, including: the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Germany, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Once the gifts are transported to countries around the world, Samaritan's Purse teams and partners will use whatever means necessary-truck, bus, train, helicopter, boat, foot, dog sled, mule and even camel-to hand-deliver the shoe box gifts to more than six continents worldwide.
 

HOW TO GET INVOLVED:

PREPARE-Help enlist families, churches, scout troops, community groups and businesses to take part in creating shoe box gifts for needy children in more than 100 countries

PACK-Fill shoe boxes with school supplies, toys, necessity items, candy and a letter of encouragement. Step-by-step shoe box packing instructions are available at www.samaritanspurse.org

PROCESS-Sign up to join thousands of Operation Christmas Child volunteers this fall at one of hundreds of collection sites and Processing Centers in the United States to prepare millions of shoe box gifts for delivery to underprivileged kids on six continents

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (828) 262-1980 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org.