Doris Row started packing Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes on her ranch in Tishomingo, Oklahoma, in 1995 after her 13-year-old son died at Christmastime the year before. She was determined not to live in grief, but to do something good to help overcome it. She chose to begin packing shoebox gifts for children in need around the world so they could hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Today, thousands of shoeboxes are prayerfully packed at Doris’ annual shoebox packing party on her ranch. Through each box, Doris says, she’s “telling that child ‘I love you and I care about you.’”
National Collection Week (Nov. 15-21) is happening right now! If you haven’t already packed a shoebox, it’s not too late. Pack a shoebox for a boy or girl in need and bring it to one of almost 400 drop-off locations across Canada through Sunday, Nov. 21.
Please donate $12 for every shoebox you prepare. Your donations will help cover project costs, including shipping (make one combined donation for multiple shoeboxes). Consider making an additional donation to help Samaritan's Purse go beyond the shoebox and expand assistance to children, their families, and their communities. Samaritan's Purse does not provide receipts for the value of gift items included in a shoebox.