— from Meredith Griffith —
This fall islanders are gathering shoeboxes again, packing them with fun goodies and practical sundries for impoverished children overseas as part of Operation Christmas Child. Run by the humanitarian organization Samaritan’s Purse, the program creates a simple way for people to celebrate the joy of holiday giving with others far away.
“When I lifted the lid on my purple plastic shoebox, the first thing I saw was a stuffed dog,” writes Yuliya, who received her box as a nine-year-old in a Central Asian country. “I was filled with exuberant joy! I just remember hugging it … It was my new best friend, my newfound treasure. My second favorite item was bubble gum-flavored toothpaste that came in a pink tube. We didn’t know such a thing existed … Word traveled fast. My friends would line up in our bathroom and my sister and I would squeeze out a tiny amount on their toothbrushes. I think we made it last about two years.”
Orcas islander Debbie Hurne, who works at Key Bank on Orcas, has been organizing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child for over 15 years now. Each year, she gathers boxes packed and wrapped by islanders and hauls them off island for collection. Just last year Hurne saw a longtime goal met – collecting 100 filled shoeboxes.
Gift categories are: ages 2-4, 5-9, and 10-14, for boys or girls. A complete shoebox might include a fun toy along with a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and washcloth, hair clips and school supplies. One of the most popular items for boys is a new, deflated soccer ball with a small hand pump. Some people use sturdy shoebox-sized plastic boxes with removable lids instead of cardboard shoeboxes, giving their child the extra gift of a toy box to keep their special items. Donors can enclose a note to the child along with a photo; and the child may be able to write back if you include your address.
Shoebox no-nos include: anything that could melt or leak; used or damaged items; toy guns, knives, or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; or aerosol cans.
Alex had lost his family to AIDS and the Rwandan genocide and was living in an orphanage when he received a Christmas Child box.
“Each and every item in that shoebox brought me joy at a time when I had lost all hope,” he remembers. “A simple candy cane might seem small and insignificant but at that moment as a 7-year-old, I needed to be reminded that someone loved me, someone still cared. It was such a joyful moment I will never forget.”
Hurne and her niece Debbie Guilford go shopping every November using funds donated by islanders to fill shoeboxes. Last year they shopped for 60 shoeboxes, filling each box for about $25. They purchase a set of clothing and other items for kids ages five through 14. If you would like them to shop for you this year, please call Hurne at 376-2556 before November 7.
In addition to filling the shoeboxes, donors are asked to include $7 for shipping in order to get each shoebox to its destination. Hurne will take her load off island on the morning of November 22. There will be prayer and dedication of the boxes at 9:30 a.m. at the Orcas Island Community Church before departure. Please note that shoebox lids must be wrapped separately (not wrapped shut), as Samaritan’s Purse examines the contents of each box before sending.
Orcas Christian School also participates in Operation Christmas Child, filling about 45 boxes each year. OCS kids and staff will be packing and accepting filled shoeboxes on November 17, and they will have extra pre-wrapped shoeboxes for anyone who needs one.
Samaritan’s Purse now also offers an option to Build A Shoebox Online at www.samaritanspurse.
