Since its beginning in 1993, over 54 million children have been impacted in 122 countries through Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, the international Christian relief organization led by Franklin Graham. Just last year, Operation Christmas Child touched the lives of 7.6 million needy children in 95 countries (including Panama, Afghanistan, Cambodia, India, Jordan, Lebanon, Russia, and South Africa), as shoe boxes filled with toys, candy, and other small gifts brought happiness to boys and girls who otherwise would not have received any presents.. The gifts also open doors for presenting the Good News of Jesus Christ through children's literature, personal witnessing, and evangelistic programs.

The purpose of Operation Christmas Child is to involve people from across the world in reaching out to children in war and famine torn countries with the message of hope enclosed in a simple gift-filled shoebox for Christmas. Many of these children have never received a gift of any kind in their lives.

"I wish everyone could see the smiles of the millions of grateful children around the world who have received gift-filled shoeboxes through Operation Christmas Child. These children have suffered because of war, natural disaster, poverty, illness or neglect. But their faces light up as they dig through their boxes, uncovering new treasures, said Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Operation Christmas Child is a simple, 'hands-on' project that can appeal to everyone, Lee Adams, Area Coordinator for South East Ky. and South West Va. said. It's a very effective way to bring families and people together while touching the lives of children whose lives have been turned upside-down by war or famine. To see the joy on the faces of the children as they receive their gifts is truly indescribable, Lee was blessed to Hand Deliver gifts to a small remote mountain village in Jamaica in 2006, and knowing that each child receives the life-changing message of the Gospel in their own language in the Booklet The Greatest Gift Of All makes this a wonderful way to fulfill the great commission without the cost of a mission trip and is open to people of all ages."

Collection Dates

Now in our 6th year, Whitesburg First Baptist Church will once again serve as an Area Collection Center. Last year, we received more than 8,800 shoe box gifts from churches, businesses, schools and families from South East Kentucky and South West Virginia. The shoeboxes are filled with small toys, candy, personal notes, photos and necessity items such as flashlights, school supplies and hygiene products.

We encourage using either an empty shoebox from home or purchasing a plastic shoebox at any local discount store. A Standard Size Shoebox is a Men's size 10 shoebox.

You can bring your gift-filled shoeboxes to Whitesburg First Baptist Church at 170 Madison Ave in Downtown Whitesburg, Monday November 17th through Monday November 24th.