To bring some holiday cheer to less fortunate children, on Nov. 13, Ablaze, an NSU Christian organization, in cooperation with Samaritan’s Purse, a global Christian non-profit organization, hosted their second annual “Operation Christmas Child” packaging party.
Students and Ablaze volunteers gathered in the Don Taft University Center with their shoeboxes, presents, and cards in tow. Ablaze provided free refreshments, while participants filled 100 boxes with crayons, toy cars, books, toy jewelry, and other goodies purchased by NSU students.
Ablaze treasurer Marissa Hoffman, junior education major, said, “My favorite part is always seeing just how much we can fit into each box. They look small, but somehow we’re able to fit tons of great gifts inside each one.”
Using materials distributed by Samaritan’s Purse, students labeled the shoeboxes according to the gender and age of the intended recipient of their package. The boxes were then sent to Samaritan’s Purse, which will complete the operation by shipping the wrapped shoeboxes to developing countries. In the past, the boxes have been given to children in Nicaragua, Madagascar, Haiti, Uganda, and other countries.
Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian relief and evangelical organization, founded in 1970 by the late evangelist Bob Pierce. The organization continues to follow the Biblical example of the “Good Samaritan”. According to Samaritan’s Purse’s official website, the mission of “Operation Christmas Child” — just one of their many humanitarian endeavors, is to “demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church worldwide, to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.”
Following the distribution of the boxes, Samaritan’s Purse volunteers involve the children in a 12-lesson Bible study program called “The Greatest Journey”. However, Hoffman said that the operation was open to NSU students of all religious affiliations, and is not a conversion endeavor.
“There is no religion attached to the gifts. Donors can put a Christmas card or message in the box if they choose, but most don’t,” Hoffman said.
The event was advertised on flyers around campus, in Ablaze meetings, and at several SEA Thursdays, a weekly event in which NSU clubs promote their upcoming activities.
Ally Urdaneta, Ablaze campus involvement director, said, “Attending SEA Thursday for two weeks in a row helped us gain the most support, because we were able to talk to students face-to-face to explain ‘Operation Christmas Child.’”
Raven Sepulveda, sophomore biology major, said that she found out about the operation just one day before the packaging party, but was still determined to contribute to the cause.
“Some Ablaze members were handing out flyers during lunch, and when they came to my table, I decided on the spot to participate,” Sepulveda said.
The Undergraduate Student Government Association provided Ablaze with the funds to ship 25 boxes, but the remainder of the shipping fee — $7 per box — was collected through donations.
Urdaneta said, “Even though we had to raise the funds ourselves, we do this event every year for the sake of the kids, and to get the word out to students about supporting charities for children.”
