Small box, big impact 4 QUESTIONS WITH OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
Q: WHAT’S NEW AND EXCITING WITH OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE? A: “The Gulf Coast Area Team is supporting and working with volunteers in Jackson County to establish a team in that area while increasing awareness of Operation Christmas Child throughout the Gulf Coast and South Mississippi.”
Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, delivers gift-filled shoeboxes to children around the world in Jesus’s name. Shannon Lavinghouse, media relations coordinator for the Gulf Coast Area Team, tells us more. Q: TELL US A BIT ABOUT OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD. A: “Operation Christmas Child is a tangible expression of God’s love as ministry partners share the Good News of Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift. The Gulf Coast Area Team of OCC consists of local volunteers working and praying together to inform the community, gather volunteers and organize and oversee the collection of shoebox gifts.” Q: WHAT IMPACT HAS OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD MADE IN THE COMMUNITY AND BEYOND? A: “Since 1993, more than 244 million children in over 175 countries and territories have received shoebox gifts and heard about Jesus and the gospel message. The Gulf Coast Area Team has been serving in this ministry for over 17 years. In 2025, the team contributed a remarkable 12,577 gospel opportunity shoe box gifts. Local volunteers demonstrate their dedication to reach more children each year while encouraging, educating and supporting local churches, groups and individuals on the efforts and impact of Operation Christmas Child.” SOME ITEMS TO PACK IN AN OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD BOX: • “Wow" Items: Stuffed animals, soccer balls with pumps, dolls, or toy trucks • Toys: Jump ropes, yo-yos, small cars, harmonicas, puzzles and playdough • School supplies: Pens, pencils, sharpeners, crayons, markers, notebooks and coloring books • Accessories: T-shirts, socks, hats, sunglasses, flip-flops and drawstring backpacks • Personal care: Toothbrushes, combs, hairbrushes, washcloths, and adhesive bandages. • Personal touch: A handwritten note of encouragement and a photo of yourself or your family
Shannon Lavinghouse
Q: HOW CAN PEOPLE CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR MISSION? A: “National Collection week for shoeboxes is Nov. 16 -22. Churches, groups and individuals can drop off shoebox gift to a local drop off location. You can find one at www. samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/drop- off-locations/ To send the gospel to the ends of the earth without leaving home, you can build a box online by visiting www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas- child/buildonline/ Boxes built online go to children in some of the hardest- to-reach places, whether deep jungles, city slums, steep mountainsides or one of more than 1,000 remote Pacific islands. Many of these areas are resistant to the gospel for cultural or religious reasons and are home to some people who have never heard the name of Jesus Christ.”
Jamaican girls who survived Hurricane Melissa share excitement over the items in each other’s shoebox gifts.
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