Volunteers pack shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child

Church and community members volunteered Thursday night for Operation Christmas Child at First Baptist Church in Morgan City, packing and loading over 1,000 shoeboxes for children living overseas in countries of need.
Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan’s Purse International Relief. Every gift-filled shoebox is a tool used for evangelism.
“What goes in a box is fun, but what comes out of the box is external,” according to the Samaritan’s Purse website.
With over 80 people packing boxes, the group packed a total of 1,206 shoeboxes. Shoeboxes were filled with hygiene items, school supplies, and a toy.
The event started at 6 p.m. and all boxes were completed by 7:15 p.m., the fastest time their group completed such an enormous task.
First Baptist Church has been involved with the Operation Christmas Child ministry for approximately 15 years. It is now a collection center for the St. Mary Parish area.
Last year, the center collected 5,000 shoeboxes, the highest collection total in Louisiana.
“It does a heart good to know that you are donating things to kids less fortunate than us,” said Operation Christmas Child helper Ann Oncale, who is also a member of First Baptist Church.
This is her second year participating.
There’s a story of a little village boy who received a box, Oncale said. Someone asked him what is the most important thing in your box and the little boy replied “my washrag.”
He said living in an orphanage, you have to wait for nine or 10 people before you get to use a washrag.
“And that really makes the heart feel good to know that you’re giving these kids something that they’ll never possess unless somebody gives it to them,” Oncale said.
“And we also have kids who are getting saved while they’re collecting these packages, so they’re finding God at the same time.”
Morgan City Junior High School eighth-grader Thomas Adam, 13, enjoyed packing boxes so much last year he decided to do it again.
“I think it’s important to participate in something like this because it’s really good and helpful,” said Adam. “And you’re doing something good for kids in the world who don’t have any toys and stuff.”
Girl Scout troops also participated in the event.
Members of Troop 20266 have been packing boxes for Operation Christmas Child a few years now.
“This will be our third or fourth year, and they love it,” said Troop 20266 Leader Constance Richard. “They’ve been asking since August when are they going to do it. I love to see them working, knowing they’re helping someone.”
The girls get a kick out of watching videos of the children opening their boxes.
Bayou Wrestling Anacondas Alize Garcia, 11, and E.J. Garcia, 8, “want other people to have the stuff they have,” which is why they were out Thursday night.
“You want them to be helped, so we do the stuff we’re doing now,” Alize Garcia said.
“It’s fun,” E.J. Garcia said.
Bayou Wrestling Anacondas is a new St. Mary Parish nonprofit organization. It’s a wrestling youth program sponsored by U.S.A. Wrestling.
Twelve members from U.S. Coast Guard Morgan City Marine Safety Unit volunteered their off-duty time to immerse themselves in the community, serving a good cause.
“I’m all about helping out someone one day, and then in the future when I need help, someone’s going to be there for me,” said Lt. Mary Gilday.
“I really enjoy taking care of my community. We’re here to be a part of the community because we have to live here as well.”
Churches and organizations will have an opportunity to drop off more shoeboxes to the First Baptist Church collection center Nov. 16-23.
Robin Richard, First Baptist Church Collection Center Coordinator, greatly appreciates the help of many church and community members for participating in last night’s event.
“It’s a ministry that brings good news and great joy to many children,” she said.