LONDON 2 Feb 2023- Millions of shoebox packers shared the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past Christmas season.

Generosity throughout contributed to a successful shoebox gift collection season at drop-off locations for the Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child. Across the UK, the project collected over 250,000 shoebox gifts in 2022. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2022, the ministry is now sending nearly 10.6 million shoebox gifts to children worldwide.

This year, Samaritan’s Purse delivered its milestone 200 millionth shoebox. UK supporters got to vote on a selection of gifts and chose a fun wind-up torch in the shape of a duck. This torch was included in the special shoebox together with the favourite gifts selected by every other shoebox sending country and was then hand-delivered to a young girl in Ukraine.

Through shoeboxes—packed with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items—volunteers brought joy to children in need around the world. Each gift-filled shoebox is a tangible expression of God’s love, and it is often the first gift these children have ever received. Through the continued generosity of donors since the early 90s, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.

Although local drop off locations for gifts are closed until 13 – 20 Nov, 2023, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks via our Shoebox Online website.

Shoebox packers often shop for deals on shoebox items throughout the year, and many serve at a deeper level by becoming a year-round volunteer. Information about ways area participants can get involved year-round can also be found at samaritans-purse.org.uk/occ.

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and, together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Since the early 1990s, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 209 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories. This year, Operation Christmas Child will celebrate over 30 years of ministry.