Eleven years ago in a Russian orphanage, Oksana Nelson received a shoebox filled with socks, candy, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and a game of dominoes.

The gift was sent to her by Operation Christmas Child, a Samaritan’s Purse project that takes Christmas to impoverished children in more than 120 countries.

“I had never received a gift before,” said Nelson, 19. “I didn’t know what to do with it, but I figured it out real quick. Opening it was kind of overwhelming because it was my first gift from someone who cared so much about me and didn’t even know me.”

Two years later, Nelson was adopted by a Weatherford family.

Now, Nelson, an agricultural economics major at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, is a spokeswoman for Operation Christmas Child.

And every year, she fills shoeboxes.

During National Collection Week from Nov. 16-23, Operation Christmas Child hopes to collect 8.2 million shoeboxes filled with small gifts, donated by people from all over the world. They will be delivered to children in poverty-stricken and war-torn countries by sea containers, trucks, trains, airplanes, boats, camels, even dog sleds, spokesman Bryce Wilks said.

Last year, the organization collected 7.8 million shoeboxes, 76,000 of which were from the Plano-North Dallas region dropoffs, Wilks said.

Susan McClelland, coordinator of the collection point at First Baptist Church of Lewisville, said the church got involved with the project through the church’s child development center, and it grew from there. Last year, the church became a collection point for Operation Christmas Child, she said.

“It’s knowing that some small thing you did can make a difference in a life,” she said.

Danny Shaver of Lake Kiowa, southeast of Gainesville, traveled to Quito, Ecuador, with Operation Christmas Child about five years ago to deliver Christmas shoeboxes to children in places such as churches, a children’s hospital and a women’s prison where small children were kept with their imprisoned mothers.

“It was just an experience I’ll remember the rest of my life,” said Shaver, retired pastor of Pioneer Baptist Church in Valley View. “To the children in most of the places where these shoeboxes go, it’s more than they’ve ever received. Most of these children are the poorest of the poor.”

Shaver said he especially remembers giving a shoebox to a hospitalized little girl who was covered in burns from a pot of boiling water she had pulled onto herself.

The shoebox was filled with socks, coloring materials and small balls.

“All she could hold in bed was that little ball,” Shaver said. “Her mother asked us to pray for her daughter. And I was asked to lead the prayer. The purpose is not just to give toys but also to bring the message of Christmas – to show people the love of God.”

And that’s just what Nelson did during a recent visit to Panama.

“It was neat just to see the smiles on their faces,” she said. “With every shoebox we give them a gospel booklet and share the message. That’s the greatest gift.”

Give the gift of Christmas

Operation Christmas Child has more than 30 collection points across the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This year, the organization is asking for a $7 shipping donation, which you can use to follow your shoebox online to its destination country. For more information, visit samaritanspurse.org.

First Baptist Church of Lewisville
1251 W. Valley Ridge Blvd. in Lewisville
For more information, call 972-436-5502.

Valley Creek Church
5800 Long Prairie Road in Flower Mound
For more information, call 972-539-2002.
 
Southmont Baptist Church
2801 Pennsylvania Drive in Denton
For more information, call 940-566-3313.

North Irving Baptist Church
3718 N. Storey Road in Irving
For more information, call 817-252-5591.

Preston Ridge Baptist Church
5849 Hillcrest Road in Frisco
For more information, call 972-712-7007.

Richardson East Baptist Church
512 E. Main Street in Richardson
For more information, call 972-235-7672.

Prestonwood Baptist Church
6801 W. Park Boulevard in Plano
For more information, call 972-820-5000.

Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church
1015 State Highway 121 in Allen
For more information, call 972-359-7777.

Dallas Baptist University
3000 Mountain Creek Parkway in Dallas
For more information, call 214-333-5101

Oates Drive Baptist Church
2805 Oates Drive in Mesquite
For more information, call 972-279-4578.
 
Gift ideas
Source: samaritanspurse.org

Toys – small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, toys that light up or make noise (with extra batteries)

School supplies – pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books

Hygiene items – toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth

Other – hard candy and lollipops (double-bag all candy), mints, gum, T-shirts, socks, ball caps, sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, watches, flashlights (with extra batteries)

Personal note – In a separate envelope, you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself or your family. If you include your name and address, the child may write back

Do not include – used or damaged items; war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures; chocolate or food; out-of-date candy; liquids or lotions; medications or vitamins; breakable items such as snow globes or glass containers; aerosol cans.

Lindsey Bever is a reporter with neighborsgo and can be reached at 972-436-5551 ext. 3004 or via e-mail at lbever@neighborsgo.com. If you have a story, photo or video you'd like to share, please post it directly on neighborsgo.com.