11/13/2010
Salina Journal

By GARY DEMUTH

Salina Journal

The little boy clutched the cardboard shoebox as if it were a treasure chest.

It contained items most American children would take for granted -- a stuffed animal, pens and pencils, soap, candy and other dollar-store items -- but for a boy from the Dominican Republic who had never received a gift, it was a rare blessing.

So much so that when Mary Lister tried to open the box for him, the boy clutched it tightly to his chest.

"There was no expression on his face," said the Salina woman. "There was nothing in his eyes."

Lister knelt beside the boy and began to whisper a prayer while gently rubbing his back. After a few moments, the boy laid his head on the shoebox and his expression transformed.

"He broke into the most beautiful smile," Lister said. "It's hard to put into words. It's one of the most amazing things I've ever seen."

Lister visited the Dominican Republic last year to hand out gift-filled shoeboxes as part of Operation Christmas Child, one of the world's largest Christmas charity undertakings.

A project of Samaritan's Purse, an international Christian relief and evangelism organization headed by the Rev. Franklin Graham, Operation Christmas Child collects and delivers more than 8 million personalized shoeboxes to needy boys and girls in more than 100 countries.

Beginning Monday, shoeboxes will be collected at designated locations throughout north-central Kansas. Last year, nearly 11,000 boxes were shipped to locations worldwide, said Lister, the Operation Christmas Child coordinator for north-central Kansas.

It only sounds like a lot

This year's goal for north-central Kansas is 12,500 shoeboxes, she said.

That sounds like a lot, but in reality, even 8 million shoeboxes doesn't begin to cover the needs of millions of children in poverty-stricken countries around the world.

"There are 3.3 million children in the Dominican Republic alone," Lister said. "For all the children touched and moved to receive these boxes, there are those standing around who won't get a box. Dividing them as needed is not an easy task. It's heart-rending."

In Salina, boxes will be collected from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Nov. 20; 2 to 7 p.m. Nov. 21; and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 22 at CrossRoads Church, 1125 W. South.

Fourteen other drop-off locations in north-central Kansas and hours of operation may be found by calling 1-800-353-5949, calling Lister at 823-0101 or by going online to samaritanspurse.org and inserting the desired zip code.

Here's what to do

Steps to follow when collecting items and packing a shoebox for delivery and shipment are:

nUse a standard size shoebox or small plastic container -- anything but a boot box. "Boot boxes are harder to get in our cartons to ship," Lister said.

nDetermine whether the shoebox gift will be for a boy or girl and the age category. Gifts may be sent to ages 2 to 4, 5 to 9 or 10 to 14. Preprinted labels are available at CrossRoads Church and on the Samaritan's Purse website. Labels should be taped on top of a filled shoebox, Lister said.

nShoeboxes may be filled with such toys as small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, yo-yos and jump ropes; school supplies such as pens, pencils, crayons, markers, writing pads or paper, calculators and coloring books; hygiene items such as toothbrushes, bar soap, combs and washcloths; and other items such as hard candy and lollipops, gum, T-shirts, socks, ballcaps, sunglasses, hair clips, watches and flashlights with batteries.

nDo not include used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or perishable food items; lotions, medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; or aerosol cans.

nIn a separate envelope, donors have the option of enclosing a personal note and a photo of yourself and/or your family, Lister said. If an address is included, the child may write back.

nOnce a shoebox is filled, a rubber band should be wrapped around the box to secure it before it is dropped off at a collection center.

Giving its own reward

Seven dollars for shipping costs is requested for each shoebox, Lister said. Donations may be given on the Samaritan's Purse website or placed in an envelope on top of gift items inside the shoebox. If more than one shoebox is being delivered, one combined donation may be placed in one of the boxes.

Lister said contributing to the project is its own reward.

"There's a reason it's gone on as long as it has," she said. "These children in need are receiving a gift from someone they've never met. Some of them have never received a gift before. The impact it has on their lives is phenomenal."

nReporter Gary Demuth can be reached at 822-1405 or by e-mail at gdemuth@salina.com.

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