FC campus strives for record 300 boxes

Every winter season, students around the United States, as well as the world, pack shoe boxes and ship them off to kids all over the world. Operation Christmas Child creates the opportunity to allow children from foreign countries to become aware of the Gospel.

Operation Christmas Child is a charity through Samaritan’s Purse. The operation collects shoeboxes stuffed with toys, school supplies, non-liquid hygiene items and personal notes.

When there’s a need, Blake Deffenbacher, ‘20, seeks to solve it. He loves the opportunity of giving gifts to those who are not as fortunate.

“I have made shoeboxes several times in the past,” Deffenbacher said. “I enjoy doing it because it is a great way to reach others around the world that are less fortunate than me without actually going to them.”

Giving is more fun than receiving. Amanda Grimmius, ’19, realized this after seeing the joy on those kids’ faces.

“I’ve done it from back in elementary school,” Grimmius said. “I think it’s an incredible program. We see a video after they’re delivered and just seeing the looks on their faces makes it 100% worth it.”

[fusion_soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/289732794″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”150″ iframe=”true” /]

The organization appreciates the gifts that people send from across the world; however there are several things to consider when making a shoebox. The program lists specifically what not to give. For information on what to place in a box and what not to, the website gives special directions. 

Students are encouraged to bring plastic boxes instead of cardboard because they can be more useful. All boxes can be turned into Room 608, the high school office in Building 6 or the elementary office in Building 5. The student leadership class is collecting shoeboxes until Nov. 10. Last year’s record of boxes brought at FC was 275 and this year’s goal is 300.

This writer can be reached via email: John Monke.

For more features read, Eagles set to play Fowler on senior night.