Pallets from Nuckolls Co. taking Shoe Box journey

When Virgil Schultz volunteered at the Samaritan’s Purse shoebox processing center in Denver last fall, he found out they had to pay for their shipping pallets. That sparked an idea! He knew of lots of places around our area that had stacks of used pallets behind their buildings. He began contacting people and picking them up. When others heard what he was doing, he got more tips of places that had pallets and offers to bring him some.

The first step in the journey of a shoebox is for individuals, families, groups and churches to collect items such as school supplies, clothing, hygiene items, toys, letters and photos to pack in a shoebox. Then, during National Collection Week, Nov. 14 to 21, shoebox gifts are taken to a local drop-off location and then transported to one of eight processing centers in the US where they are prepared for international shipping to more than 100 countries. Each step of the journey requires pallets for loading and transporting them. Three hundred eighty- four pallets have been shipped from here to Denver, ready to transport shoebox gifts. In the 29 years of Operation Christmas Child, more than 198 million shoeboxes have been received and distributed to more than 160 countries and territories.

Once the shoeboxes reach their destination, locally trained ministry partners gather the children together for a shoebox outreach event where the gospel is presented before they receive the shoebox gift, which is a tangible expression of the love of God they have just heard about – for many the first gift they have ever received. After receiving the gift, children are invited to come back and participate in a 12-lesson Bible study. Children share what they learn with their famiy and friends so one shoebox can impact 7 to 10 people and change their lives.

So, how can you be involved? Pack shoebox gifts! Pack with your family, with your church or Bible study group, with your community groups or neighbors. Be creative – each gift has such a powerful impact on the child receiving it!

Or become a project leader for your church or group. Attend a Project Leader’s Workshop hosted by Grace Community Evangelical Free Church, from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 17, to share ideas, build relationships and become better equipped to lead and grow the Operation Christmas Child project at your church or group. Or, consider partnering as a year-round volunteer.

Samaritan’s Purse is more than a relief organization. Its purpose is evangelism and it changes people’s lives.