Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the message of Gods unconditional love. Anyone can participate in this simple, hands-on project. Last season, 713294 shoe boxes from Canada were collected and distributed to children in more than 15 countries. Each gift is a special reminder to a child that he or she is loved. Delivered by teams of local pastors, charities, and civic leaders, Operation Christmas Child gifts provide opportunities to make a lasting impact on children, families and communities. Often, the shoe boxes open doors to provide other aid, allowing Samaritans Purse to provide resources for a better tomorrow. Operation Christmas Child focuses on the true meaning of Christmas Jesus Christ Gods greatest gift. Separate from the shoe box and when culturally appropriate, we offer children The Greatest Gift of All, an illustrated Bible storybook in the local language. When possible, children can further explore a faith in Jesus Christ through a voluntary Bible study program. The shoe boxes dont leave Canada on their journey overseas without first making an impact on the people who pack them. The project fosters compassion in Canadian families, individuals, and businesses by expanding their world view and showing how it is greater to give than to receive.