When it comes to giving a great gift, it doesn’t always have to come in a big box.
For a child in a third world country, something as simple as a shoebox can bring a lot of joy.
And all this week, volunteers are taking part in Operation Christmas Child, a national effort that brings shoe boxes of gifts to those in need.
The idea is simple, take a shoebox and fill it with simple gifts like small toys, toiletries and school supplies.
The boxes are then combined with others from around the country and shipped to thousands of kids in need.
And when it comes to gifts that make a difference, places like Lisa Lockman’s become a lot like Santa’s workshop.
"We collect all year long, we look for sales. We do a lot of shopping at Dollar Tree, and Target dollar section and we just find things we know the children would love,” said Lockman, who is assembling shoe boxes full of gifts.
From pencils to toothpaste, stuffed animals to candy, no gift is too small.
"They love the stuffed animals because they can hold something,” said Lisa’s 9-year-old daughter Lily.
It’s become a tradition for the Lockman family that’s going on ten years.
"You feel joyful that you can be a small part in giving a child some hope,” said Lisa’s son 13-year-old Ethan.
The boxes will go to the Olive Drive Church, the donation center for Kern County.
From here, these boxes will go to kids in Nepal, the Philippines and Peru.
"Kern County is such a generous county. Last year we collected 13,000 shoe boxes and so far this year, we're at 1,200,” said Judy McMillin, the Kern County Area Coordinator.
And with most of the donations coming this weekend, organizers say they’re hoping to break last year’s number, filling three trailers full of boxes.
"Something that's so simple here can mean the world to a family across the world,” McMillin said.
It’s an idea the Lockmans have taken to heart.
A simple gift packed with love that goes a long way.
"You can start small and every shoebox counts. You can affect a child's life with one shoebox,” Lisa said.
If you would like to give a shoebox, drop off centers are all around town.
Samaritan's Purse is a Christian relief and evangelism organization led by Franklin Graham.
The group assembles shoe box gift packs for children in need around the world.
For more information on how to help:
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/
