Traughber Junior High Students Give to Needy Children

Submitted by District 308:

Traughber Junior High School’s diversity team participated in a service project this holiday season called Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child is sponsored by an organization called Samaritan’s Purse. The program shares gift-filled shoeboxes with needy children around the world. Since 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has collected and delivered more than 113 million gift-filled shoeboxes to children in over 150 countries through Operation Christmas Child.

Individuals, families, churches and groups fill empty shoeboxes with gifts of toys, school supplies, hygiene items, and notes of encouragement. During National Collection Week, Samaritan’s Purse collects the gift-filled shoeboxes at more than 4,000 drop-off sites in all 50 states. Operation Christmas Child also offers the opportunity year-round to pack personalized shoebox gifts online.

This year, the diversity team members donated money to pack shoeboxes online. With the money raised, the team was able to pack three shoeboxes. The school provided for two boys and one girl, ages 10-14. Each shoebox included an essentials pack (toothbrush, washcloth, pencils, erasers, and a notebook). The other contents varied based on gender. The boys’ shoeboxes included a truck, etch-a-sketch, yo-yo, watch, sunglasses, and calculator. The girl’s shoebox included a stuffed animal, etch-a-sketch, jump rope, watch, necklace and calculator. The team is hoping to pack many more next year.