Living in a poor country may mean no Christmas for many children around the world. Since the Operation Christmas Child Project started, children from over ninety countries have been blessed with love and inspiration. Before starting the fun part of filling a shoebox, I watched a short video on the purpose of the project. The video expressed a deep concern for the millions of needy children. I am thankful I have never felt as needy during the holiday seasons throughout my life. I learned how a simple gift can bring joy to a hurting child who has never felt the true joy of Christmas.

The Civics Club was the first eye-opener to the importance of service. I am glad I chose the Civics Club as a start to become more involved in service in my school, community, and the world. It has been a great experience to finish a service project and admire each smile on people’s faces. I become overwhelmed each time I witness the happiness of an unfortunate person in need. The opportunity of infinite service projects is what I love about Civics Club the most.

A special service project I would like to emphasize is known as Operation Christmas Child. Since I was introduced to this project, I realized that it was not only a worldwide effect but a community based activity. I can’t imagine how much greater the impact must be for a shoe box receiver. This is the reason I enjoyed lending a helping hand to increase the number of gifts sent around the world and to bring joy to a hurting child during the holiday season.

Since I was introduced to Operation Christmas Child, I have noticed what an impact it has been on my life. I can imagine what a greater impact it must be for a shoe box recipient. This is why I feel everyone should lend a helping hand and increase the number of gifts sent around the world to bring joy to a hurting child this holiday season.

I made my first shoe box present for a 5-9 year old boy. I filled the box with toys my brothers and I had never played with before. I also packed coloring supplies, pencils, a notebook, hygiene products, a doll, and hard candy. I felt ecstatic knowing I was soon going to make a special boy feel loved this Christmas. I even included a note with my name and address asking my child to write back to me. For the first time of my life, I felt I was a positive contributor to my community and the world. I learned how many lives can change through a simple shoe box of love.

This past year I was glad to have participated with Operation Christmas Child for the second time. I was able to make two shoe box presents. One was with Civics Club and the other was with the National Honor Society. Now that I am familiar with the process of the project, I was able to put more thought into what I filled my shoe box present with. I made both of my shoe boxes for a boy at the age category of 5-9 year old.

Before a shoe box maker gives off their shoe box, each participant has the opportunity to give their address and attach a picture of them. This allows the shoe box recipient to write back give thanks to the person they received the present from. It also gives both the giver and receiver the chance to build a long distance relationship. I read a story of a shoe box recipient who was able to meet the person that prepared the present. This year I submitted my contact information in both of my shoe boxes so that I would have a chance to hear from the children I have touched the hearts of. I have not yet heard of any news from my shoe box recipients but I am sure whoever they are, they said a personal prayer of thanks.

The Big Island of Hawaii Project Coordinator was invited to our school to give a short description of her experience in with the project. She shared her experience going to Ecuador on a distribution trip. I was amazed at how her experience was with the children the day they opened up their presents. She showed us some of the pictures she took on the trip and by the look of the children’s faces; I could easily capture the feeling of happiness. The Project Coordinator also gave us the location of where the shoe boxes form the state of Hawaii went. Majority of them went to China and some of them went to the children of Brazil. It feels great to know that I have participated in a project that touched the hearts of children halfway around the world. Although the pictures from the trip to Ecuador were not from the same place as the gifts which were sent from Hawaii, I still saw a glimpse of what the distribution process was like. I am sure each child, no matter where they are from, has the same awe-dropping experience. There was one picture in particular of an Ecuadorian child holding a gift-filled shoebox and a big smile on their face.

I know that when I was a child around ages 5-9, I loved to play with cool toys and collect gadgets. I wanted to give a hurting child a nutshell experience of how I lived my childhood by giving my most precious toys and belongings such as books, cards, and bouncing balls. I also filled the box with hygiene products and school supplies. I understand that families in poor countries can barely afford a second pair of clothes or toothpaste.  I don’t know how many gift-filled shoe boxes it would take to change the lives of every child in the world, but I do know that it is a certainty that everything I packed in one shoe box will be of much use in the hands of another child who is in need of a memorable childhood.

I believe that serving others is the greatest thing someone can do to share their love and appreciation of their life. I am grateful I was able to help children who don’t know me who are on the other side of the world. The gift-filled shoe boxes I prepared have impacted my life, but compared to the children who receive the gifts is a story of its own. I hope to continue sharing my love and serving along with Operation Christmas Child by creating gift-filled shoe boxes. When I am involved with this project, I realize that I have the power to make a lasting impression on a hurting child. I recommend everyone to take a minute to gather unwanted toys or household items and fill them in a recycled shoebox. If a million people participated, a million more people would benefit from it.