31 Boxes of Toys & Supplies Delivered to Children in the DRC and Burkina Faso

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This year, we had the privilege of contributing nearly 1,000 toys and essential supplies to Operation Christmas Child, an initiative led by Samaritan’s Purse. This global program provides humanitarian aid to children in need while sharing the message of hope and love found in the Gospel.

Our contribution was packed into 31 shoeboxes, each filled with items chosen to bring joy, comfort, and practical support to children facing significant challenges. These shoeboxes made their way to children in Africa, specifically in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso, where many young lives are shaped by hardship and adversity.

Each box was packed full with a variety of toys & supplies including:

Each box was packed with a variety of items designed to bring joy and meet practical needs. These included LEGO cars, Hot Wheels, Play-Doh, inflatable balls with pumps, noisemakers, and stuffed animals to spark play and laughter. To support education, we added composition books, crayons, coloring books, pens, scented pencils, sharpeners, and erasers. Personal care items like bars of soap, toothbrushes, combs, brushes, small towels, and hair ties were also included, alongside useful accessories such as sunglasses, backpacks, bookmarks, and water bottles.

We dropped off our packed boxes at Bayhope Church in Tampa, where they were prepared for shipping to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burkina Faso.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the largest nation in Central Africa, boasts significant mineral resources and fertile soil. However, malnutrition remains a pressing challenge for its population. Samaritan’s Purse began delivering Operation Christmas Child shoebox gifts to children in the DRC in 2003 and expanded its impact in 2010 by introducing The Greatest Journey, a follow-up discipleship course for shoebox recipients.

Burkina Faso, located in West Africa, is home to a predominantly rural population known for its honesty, a quality reflected in the country’s name, which means “Land of Incorruptible People.” Samaritan’s Purse started delivering shoebox gifts to children in Burkina Faso in 1999 and introduced The Greatest Journey in 2011. This program equips boys and girls to follow Christ and share His message with others, deepening the impact of the shoebox gifts.

We want to thank everyone who donated their time & resources to this year’s donation!

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible donors who made this effort possible. Your generosity and support were the driving force behind our ability to pack 31 shoeboxes filled with love and care for children in need. Together, we raised nearly $800, which allowed us to provide nearly 1,000 toys, supplies, and essentials to brighten the lives of children facing hardships. Thank you for partnering with us to spread hope and joy around the world and within our local community.