During the 2024 Christmas season, the overwhelming generosity of the people of the Red River area helped provide joy to more than 17,000 children around the world through Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts.
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 news of Jesus Christ.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 232 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.
Statistics show that for every 8,000 shoeboxes sent, a church is planted. As a result, two churches will be started from the shoeboxes sent from this local area. Statistics also show that 10 people will be exposed to the news of Jesus Christ for every shoebox gift, meaning 170,000 people will hear about God’s love through Jesus this year from the shoeboxes from this area.
Shoebox packers bring joy and hope to children around the world through fun, full, personalized shoebox gifts. For many children, this is the first gift they have ever received. Each shoebox gift is a tangible expression of God’s love.
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 be found at samaritanspurse.org/occ or by calling 817-595-2230.
Although local area drop-off locations for shoebox gifts are closed until Nov. 17–24, 2025, anyone can still be a part of this life-changing project by conveniently packing a shoebox gift online in just a few simple clicks at samaritanspurse.org/buildonline. These simple shoebox gifts, packed with care, remind children around the world that they are loved and not forgotten.