The 2009 Operation Christmas Child shoe box campaign is essentially underway, with tens of thousands of people already shopping for items that will soon fill boxes destined for children in faraway lands. Indeed, this year’s campaign runs from November 16-23rd in the US (Canada, Nov. 16-21) with upwards of eight million boxes expected to be packed.

Big Heart

For one 84-year-old New York resident and Purple Heart recipient, his contribution this year staggers the imagination: Reggie Petersen plans to pack at least 1000 boxes!

“Doing this project just lifts me up and gives me energy. I love people, and I have a special place in my heart for kids,” said Reggie, who has been participating in Operation Christmas Child for 11 years. “I was in Germany during World War II and saw a lot of kids with nothing. It really had an impact on me and made me want to do things to help them.”

Reggie has been packing shoe boxes for eleven years now and, with the help of his daughter Cathy, Reggie and his family have packed more than 7700 shoe box gifts over the years.

“When we load up trucks and bring the shoe box gifts to the collection center each November, I just sit there and think, wow, did God really use us to do all of that? It’s just remarkable. You have to see it to believe it,” said Reggie.

Selling Collectibles

Reggie and his daughter make their endeavor a year ’round ministry a big part of which is to search for bargains and deep discounts, accepting financial contributions from friends too. In addition, Reggie buys and sells collectible bottles and refurbished golf clubs, using those proceeds for Operation Christmas Child as well.

“When we load up trucks and bring the shoe box gifts to the collection center each November, I just sit there and think, wow, did God really use us to do all of that? It’s just remarkable. You have to see it to believe it,” said Reggie. Added Reggie’s daughter, Cathy Wood, “I was never able to have a child of my own, but thanks to this project I don’t have just one or two kids – I have more than 7,000.”

More Information

Operation Christmas Child, a project of international relief and evangelism organization Samaritan’s Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, uses whatever means necessary – ships, trucks, buses, trains, airplanes, helicopters, boats, camels, even dog sleds – to reach suffering children. For many of these children, the shoe box gift will be the first gift they have ever received, letting them know they are loved and not forgotten.

Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child has hand-delivered shoe box gifts to more than 69 million hurting children in more than 130 countries.

For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child, call (828) 262-1980 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org.

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