Each year, Prestonwood Christian Academy participates in Operation Christmas Child, allowing students and families to donate clothes and supplies to families all over the world during Christmas time. Operation Christmas Child is a project of Samaritan’s Purse that sends shoeboxes packed with gifts, hygiene items, and school supplies to children in need around the world. The project has become a meaningful tradition at PCA that brings the school community together.

Packing shoeboxes always ends up being one of the most meaningful parts of the season. Students get to pick the age and gender of the child who will be receiving their box, which makes it a much more personal experience. We try to put ourselves in the place of that kid, thinking of what they might need or what would make them smile. So we fill the boxes with school supplies, small toys, hygiene items, and something fun, just to brighten their day.

Senior Kayla Yap says, “My favorite part of Operation Christmas Child is imagining the joy on the kids faces and they open the box and see all the items and toys that they don’t normally get to have.”

Operation Christmas serves as a real reminder that even a small act of kindness here at home can make a huge difference somewhere else across the world. Operation Christmas Child shows just how simple it can be to spread hope and share God’s love in a real, hands-on way.