Students encouraged to donate, help children in need

As the winter season rapidly approaches, many are eager to take part in decorating Christmas trees and buying gifts. While most of us get caught up in the festivities of Christmas, Operation Christmas Child provides a way to take part in the generosity of gift giving.

Operation Christmas Child is a charity through Samaritan’s Purse. The organization collects shoeboxes filled with toys, clothes, and the message of the gospel and sends them out to countries with less fortunate children who will not receive Christmas gifts. The main goal of Operation Christmas Child is to share the good news of Jesus Christ and to bless the children with joy, hope and love.

Donating a shoebox is not only a way to serve others, but it can also be a very fun experience. Claire Kollenkark, ’16, loves donating her time and resources by participating in Operation Christmas Child. Every year her family has a shoebox packing party.

“I like to pack shoeboxes because I love children,” Kollenkark said. “It makes me so happy that I can help someone less fortunate. It’s a great way to share Christ and put a smile on a child’s face. When my family packs our shoeboxes, my mom usually gets the boxes and my nieces, nephews and I assemble them together.”

I like to pack shoeboxes because I love children. It makes me so happy that I can help someone less fortunate. It’s a great way to share Christ and put a smile on a child’s face. When my family packs our shoeboxes, my mom usually gets the boxes and my nieces, nephews and I assemble them together.— Claire Kollenkark 

While there are many people who enjoy participating in Operation Christmas Child, some prefer alternate ways to spend their time. Tyler Vanderlinden, ’17, does not usually participate in packing shoeboxes. He prefers to spend his time elsewhere and help out at his church.

“My family doesn’t usually pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child,” Vanderlinden said. “I don’t have time to pack any boxes because I usually do some kind of Christmas service project through my church.”
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The school has a long history of collecting Operation Child Christmas boxes. Last year students brought in around 275 boxes.This year the leadership team has given a goal out to all of the individual classes in hopes of reaching the school’s goal to bring in 300 boxes. If 90% of a class turns in a box, they will be rewarded with a pizza party.

Students are encouraged to turn in plastic boxes instead of cardboard boxes because they are sturdier and may be reused. Boxes can be turned into the Central office in Building 5 or in the high school office in Building 6. The leadership team will be counting boxes towards individual classes until Nov. 9 but the school will accept boxes until Nov. 12.

To see last year’s article on Operation Christmas Child, read Operation Christmas Child gift boxes due by Nov. 9.

For another news article read Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, promotes check-ups.

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @Phillip11499 and via email: Phillip Christopher