Math teacher Tina Nakashian introduced a new way for high school students to give through the Operation Christmas Child program. Nakashian’s objective was to gather essentials and goodies in a shoe box which would be sent to less fortunate children overseas. The project successfully collected a total of 282 boxes from participating students and teachers from grades K-12.

Vargas: How did you get interested in OCC?

Nakashian: I had taken my sons to Chick-Fil-A. Afterward when we where walking outside, my son Noah wanted a balloon from the group of people who were standing just outside. When we approached them for a balloon I naturally asked them who they were and what program they were supporting. It was at this time I learned of the Operation Christmas Child.

Vargas: Did you involve your own kids in the program? Why?

Nakashian: My husband Garo and I really wanted our boys to learn how to serve others. Aren, my eldest son, and I have done several community service projects together, so he understands the concept of giving to others who don’t have toys. Of course my son Noah is too young to understand anything, but he loved going around picking out toys to put in his box. Aren helped me with loading up the boxes, and we will help with taking sandwiches to the Poverello House Poverello House.

Vargas: Why did you oversee the Operation Christmas Child program for Fresno Christian rather than wait for someone else to take charge?

Nakashian: Well, when I spoke to the OCC volunteers, that first time, we only had a week to get the boxes turned in so we had to do everything very quickly! Why I oversaw it ? it’s just my personality. When I commit to something I put my whole heart into it, and I wanted to make sure we were able to collect some boxes for the OCC program.

Vargas: How did students/teachers respond to the challenge?

Nakashian:”My second period Algebra 1 class and I spoke about doing a community service project together and this was the perfect oppurtunity for us. They were awesome; within two days we made 100 boxes (so we could distribute it to others on campus), we then set a class goal of filling up five boxes. We collected money for the class to visit the dollar store and after shopping had collected enough goodies for 14 additional boxes.

Meanwhile, my second period students went around campus asking the teaching staff if they were interested in participating in the service. I also spoke to my other classes who joined in.

Vargas: How do you feel about this year’s results?

Nakashian: I was really happy with our results this year. The high school ended up with 61 shoe boxes filled with goodies plus their $7 donation (for each box) for shipping!

I have to mention that after all the collecting, we did have about 20 boxes without their $7 donation and so I sent out a mass email to the faculty and spoke to the students in my classes about the need for money. It was spectacular to see how everyone responded to the call for help. We had teachers and students who couldn’t do the boxes give generously and then between myself and other teachers on campus we were able to collect all the money we needed. And this was done in one day!

Vargas: Will you lead this project again next year?

Nakashian: I would love to lead it again next year, but of course I would do things differently. I would make sure all students on campus knew about the community service, not just my own classes. I would also start much earlier so we could have more time to collect boxes and donations. And my goal would be 100 boxes with the $7 donation for shipping.

Vargas: What did you consider the most fun part of the experience?

Nakashian: The whole process was fun. I loved watching my students in a different light than learning math. The enthusiasm that each student and teacher had put in their boxes, the giving nature of everyone who participated and the concern about collecting all the money needed for the shipping costs were just a few ways I could see the Lord in each person’s spirit.

Also, when I told the students of the free sandwich from Chick-Fil-A for each box we donated, they were at first thrilled to receive a meal; but when told the sandwiches would be donated to the Poverello House, their excitement only escalated.

Vargas: How do you think this will impact the children’s lives, both those giving and receiving?

Nakashian: I hope all those involved in the service felt they served the Lord in helping others in need. I pray the children who receive the boxes can feel the Lord’s love through our actions.

For more information, e-mail Nakashian or read the Nov. 19, 2008 article, Samaritan’s Purse pursues Christmas involvement.