Operation Christmas Child is a program started by Samaritan’s Purse that collects and distributes gift-filled shoeboxes to children in need around the world. The project’s mission is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. For many recipients, the shoebox is the first gift they have ever received. Since 1993, the program has delivered more than 232 million shoebox gifts to children in over 170 countries and territories.