“Operation Christmas Child is a really tangible, hands-on way that Australians can show love to kids in need around the world,” say Leanne Palmer from Operation Christmas Child.
It’s a hot day in north-western Sydney. Leanne is overseeing the busy activity at the Operation Christmas Child warehouse, from which Samaritan’s Purse coordinates its annual Australia/New Zealand charitable gift-giving initiative.
Over this three-part series, Helping Hands will see the wonderful people, passion and purpose behind Operation Christmas Child as we follow a small handful of the many churches, individuals, schools and community groups across Australia who get behind this worthwhile cause each year.
Hawkesbury Valley Baptist Church is one of those churches. For twenty-five years now, their crew of volunteers have come together between June and October to sort and pack donations of items into shoebox-sized gifts suitable for children across a variety of age groups.
It’s an effort that brings people together from far and wide who all share a heart to show practical love to others.
“The goal for today is 1,500 shoeboxes,” explains Operation Christmas Child Group Organiser, Ila Spence, while showing the tables laden with items for volunteers to pack. “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world … It’s God’s love in action.”
Samaritan’s Purse have wisely set out clear guidelines for suitable items that can be packed in boxes. They include a combination of things a child both needs and will enjoy, things that are fun and functional, and, importantly, can be sent to any destination without becoming spoiled in transit, or detained in customs.
“It’s not just us – our little group here,” says volunteer, Pam Fairhurst, “there’s so many people along the way that contribute to a child getting a shoebox, and I love that.”
Lucas and Lincoln, two boys aged twelve and fourteen, have also taken the initiative to heart. With the help of parent, Becky, they challenge community and church groups in their local area each year to help them pack an ever-increasing number of shoeboxes.
“At church we make a video and show them, and we also speak (about Operation Christmas Child) and show that video to other churches … we feel really recognised, and they (the people who recognise them) are probably the people who are going to donate, so we can make more boxes and make more people happy across the world,” the boys share.
Making gifts for children far and wide who don’t share the same privileges we do here in Australia is a concept that resonates among all Aussie children and parents who learn about Operation Christmas Child.
At St Bishoy Coptic Orthodox College in western Sydney, the enthusiasm of the students and their families for the initiative has been steadily growing since the college first embraced Operation Christmas Child five years ago.
Mrs Amal Awadalla, the teacher who coordinates St Bishoy’s contribution, shares that students have learned generosity through being involved, and their desire to impact other children and their families has now become part of the college’s culture.
“Our children had the privilege to watch a beautiful video about where these boxes go – over the oceans, across the seas, in the aeroplanes, in the ships … the kids were overwhelmed that these boxes are travelling that far away … and to people they don’t know, to different nationalities. It’s an international work, an international story, and we’re proud to be part of it.”
See the SAMARITAN’S PURSE – OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD Part 1 story and the full catalogue of Helping Hands documentaries at helpinghands.tv. Catch up on full episodes of Helping Hands on 9NOW.
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* The Helping Hands producers are available for interview on radio, TV and online to discuss this topic. Get in touch at helpinghands.tv/contact/
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