OCC -- Giving that goes a long way

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Anne Gathua
  • 17th Training Wing Public Affairs
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Grinning from ear to ear, the little boy eagerly opens the box, taking the gifts out one by one. His smile widens even more and his eyes light up as he starts dancing, waving a pair of red woolen mittens.

"Muchas gracias!" he says.

The boy's reaction startles the volunteer who gave him the box. Thinking he would be disappointed, she wonders why he is so excited about mittens. This is Bolivia, a tropic nation that never gets cold enough for mittens.

Little did she know that the box of gifts she brought all the way from Texas was exactly what the little boy needed.

Through a translator, she learns the boy works in a bakery pulling hot bread pans out of the oven and always burns his fingers. Now he has some "oven mitts" to protect his hands -- the perfect gift.

This is what Operation Christmas Child is all about. A non-denominational Christian children's ministry, it uses simple, gift-filled shoe boxes to let children all over the world know they are loved and remembered.

"Seeing the look on children's faces when they receive shoeboxes, the joy of knowing that someone somewhere cares for them and hearing the stories of changed lives gives me hope that through these gifts of love, we are making a difference around the world," said Vera Kilpatrick, Goodfellow's OCC point of contact.

This year, OCC will reach more than eight million children, many of whom have never received a gift before. OCC uses tracking technology that allows donors to "follow their box" to find out the destination country where it will be hand-delivered to a child in need.

After 11 years as an OCC volunteer, Ms. Kilpatrick stressed the importance of letting children know someone loves and cares for them.

"Donating a shoe box is like being a missionary without leaving home," she said. "For only $20, which includes $7 for shipping, you can spread the love of God to a lonely, often mistreated, hungry child in a war-torn country."

The National Collection Week is Nov. 15-22. Goodfellow members can donate at the Base Chapel or the Crossroads, starting Nov. 14. The collection center for the San Angelo area is Christian Church of San Angelo, 4060 South Bryant St.

"The whole family can be part of this," Ms. Kilpatrick said. "Take your children shopping and let them use some of their own money to buy items and fill a shoebox. Our children have so much. I've had parents say it was so good to see their children or grandchildren buy something for another child. It teaches them to give."

She added that the reception and participation from the base the past three years has been great and encouraged people to get involved this year.

"We are always getting, let's start giving," she said. "People may wonder why we send gifts overseas when we can give them to the needy children in the San Angelo area. That's true, there are lots of needs in our area, but we also have many organizations that help. OCC reaches children in the most remote places worldwide where no one else does."

Gift ideas include but are not limited to toys, school supplies, hygiene items, hard candy and clothing items. 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; or aerosol cans. In a separate envelope you may enclose a note to the child and a photo of yourself and your family.

Donations are welcome anytime of the year. For more information on volunteering or donating, visit www.samaritanspurse.org or call Vera Kirkpatrick at (325)-227-8982.