Operation Christmas Child gift recipient speaks at local church

For years, Lewes families have packed gifts for boys and girls around the world through the Operation Christmas Child shoebox program.

When she was a young girl in the Philippines, Analyn Elliott received one of these presents. Elliott recently visited Long Neck United Methodist Church in Millsboro and shared the powerful impact of a simple shoebox gift in her own life. Her inspiring story continues to encourage the local community to fill more shoeboxes with fun toys, school supplies and personal care items, contributing to the global goal of reaching 12 million children.

What Elliott remembered about receiving an Operation Christmas Child shoebox gift is the joy she felt when she realized it was her very own. That was a gift in itself for the middle child in a family of seven in the Philippines who struggled to make ends meet. Elliott tried not to compare what she had or didn’t have with her classmates, but it was hard not to wish for something to call her own. When Elliott received a shoebox – her first gift – she was filled with immense joy.

Volunteers and local community members attended the event to hear Elliott speak. Church Relations team member Gino Poppitt said, "Operation Christmas Child aligns with our church’s mission statement to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse, seeks to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to children in need around the world and partner with the local church worldwide.

In 2024, Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week will run from Monday, Nov. 18 to Monday, Nov. 25, when local residents can bring gift-filled shoeboxes to multiple drop-off locations across the area that will be announced in late October. 

For more information, call 410-772-7360 or go to samaritanspurse.org/occ. Participants can donate $10 per shoebox gift online through Follow Your Box and receive a tracking label to discover its destination. Those who prefer the convenience of online shopping can go to samaritanspurse.org/buildonline to select gifts matched to a child’s specific age and gender, then finish packing the virtual shoebox by adding a photo and personal note of encouragement.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has collected and delivered more than 220 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries and territories.