Operation Christmas Child: A Legacy of Generosity and a New Path Forward

For over 15 years, Open Arms Community Church has been blessed to participate in Operation Christmas Child (OCC)—a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse that shares the love of Christ with children around the world through simple yet powerful shoebox gifts.

This ministry has been a labor of love for our church family, and we are especially grateful for Sally Newton, who has faithfully led this effort for many years. Through her dedication—and the generosity of so many in our church—thousands of shoeboxes have been packed and sent to children in at least 25 different countries.

Now, as we look ahead, our approach to Operation Christmas Child will be changing, but our commitment to this vital ministry remains as strong as ever.

Where Our Shoeboxes Went This Year

This past year, our shoeboxes were delivered to Liberia, a country in West Africa with a unique and complex history. Originally established as a homeland for freed slaves from the United States, Liberia has faced many challenges, including civil wars and severe health crises. Some may remember the Ebola outbreak of the early 2000s, during which Liberia was one of the hardest-hit nations. Samaritan’s Purse played a crucial role in providing medical relief, and today, Operation Christmas Child continues to bring hope to Liberia’s children through the power of the Gospel.

A Ministry That Has Impacted Thousands

Since our church began packing shoeboxes in 2009, what started as a small Sunday school project has grown into something much greater. We have seen our shoeboxes go to:

• Countries across Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Baltics.
• Remote and sensitive regions where the Gospel is difficult to share.
• Ukraine and other areas repeatedly in need of aid.

Because of these efforts, only eternity will reveal the full impact of this ministry. But we trust that hundreds—perhaps thousands—of children have come to know Jesus because of these small gifts packed with love by our church family.

A New Approach to OCC

While our hearts remain fully committed to Operation Christmas Child, the way we participate will look different this year. Managing the logistics of traditional shoebox packing requires year-round effort, and as Sally transitions into a less hands-on role, we want to ensure this ministry continues in a way that is sustainable for our church family.

Packing Shoeboxes Online

Going forward, we will be participating in OCC by packing shoeboxes online through Samaritan’s Purse. This method allows us to:

• Reach remote and restricted-access areas that are difficult to serve with traditional shoeboxes.
• Support special initiatives, such as delivering shoeboxes to South Pacific islands, where supplies must be transported by ship.
• Ensure that items included are appropriate for sensitive regions where sharing the Gospel must be done carefully.

Rather than gathering physical donations, we will collect financial contributions throughout the year, allowing us to pack shoeboxes online on a quarterly basis.

Stay Connected for Updates!

We will be working on ways to keep you updated about this new approach through the Open Arms website and social media! Stay tuned for regular updates on how many shoeboxes we’ve packed, stories of impact, and opportunities to get involved. Be sure to follow us online so you don’t miss out on how God is using our church to bless children around the world!

How You Can Help

We are inviting everyone in our church to consider a small monthly donation to support OCC.

Here’s the Challenge:

• If 100 people gave just $5 per month, we would raise $2,000 per quarter, enabling us to pack hundreds of shoeboxes by year’s end.
• If some are able to contribute $10 or more per month, the impact would be even greater.

Church Matching Fund

To double our impact, Open Arms Community Church has committed to matching donations up to the amount allocated in our OCC budget. This means every dollar given will be multiplied, allowing us to bless even more children.

How to Give

To contribute, simply designate your gift to Operation Christmas Child when giving through the church. On the ministry envelopes, there is a specific box for OCC donations.

Thank You, Sally!

As we make this transition, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Sally Newton for her years of faithful leadership in this ministry. Her dedication has made a tremendous impact—not only in the lives of children around the world but also in the hearts of those in our church who have been blessed to take part in this effort.

We are also grateful that Sally remains committed to ensuring this ministry continues in a sustainable way. She will continue to oversee the transition and is looking for a few individuals willing to help manage our online shoebox packing efforts.

If you are interested in serving in this way, please reach out!

Join Us in This Mission

Though the way we pack shoeboxes is changing, our mission remains the same: to share the love of Christ with children worldwide.

Through this new approach, we will continue to impact lives, bringing hope to those who need it most.

Thank you for being part of this incredible ministry—one shoebox at a time!