The world's largest Christmas project of its kind, Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan's Purse that uses gift-filled shoeboxes to demonstrate God's love in a tangible way to children around the world.
Since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has collected and delivered more than 168 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 150 countries and territories through Operation Christmas Child.
This year, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect enough shoebox gifts to reach another 11 million children.
Packing & Collecting the Shoebox
This holiday season, you can share the gospel and create joy for a child with just one shoebox.
Fill an empty shoebox with a “wow” item—like a doll or soccer ball. Then include other fun toys, school supplies, hygiene items and notes of encouragement. Check out our easy guide for packing your shoebox.
During National Collection Week each year, Samaritan’s Purse collects the gift-filled shoeboxes at nearly 5,000 drop-off sites in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
Shipping and Following the Shoebox
Shoebox gifts are prepared for overseas shipment at eight major processing centers across the U.S.—Atlanta; Baltimore; Boone, N.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; Dallas; Denver; Chicago; and Fullerton, Calif.
Samaritan’s Purse and its partners will deliver the gifts to children in more than 150 countries.
You also have the option to follow your box online to discover where in the world your gift is delivered by using this form.
The Gift that Keeps on Giving
With your gift, children will not only learn about Jesus, but be given more opportunities to grow in their faith.
More than 18.9 million children have participated in The Greatest Journey, the Samaritan’s Purse discipleship program that is offered to many children who receive a shoebox gift.
The Greatest Journey is implemented through a global church network to help children learn how to know and follow Jesus.