Sending a message of hope to children around the world

“As a family we have made up Operation Christmas Child shoe boxes on several occasions. We love to do this as we know it both blesses the children who receive them and also gives our own children the chance to feel part of something bigger that can help others. We think it is a brilliant operation that we would always recommend others to be part of”. Tim Jupp, keyboard player, Delirious

What is Operation Christmas Child?

This annual project enables caring individuals, families, schools, churches, businesses, and other organisations to fill ordinary shoe boxes with small toys, school supplies, sweets, and other gifts for needy children around the world. Operation Christmas Child sends a message of hope to children in need around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes. Operation Christmas Child is the world's largest children's Christmas project. Since 1990 the project has brought the joy of Christmas to more than 60 million boys and girls throughout the world. Last year we sent 1.23 million shoe boxes from the UK to children in hospitals, orphanages, Internally Displaced Persons camps, homeless shelters and impoverished neighbourhoods. With your help we want to reach even more children in the poorest parts of the world in 2009.