Operation Christmas Child

For over 20 years, Catawba students, staff and faculty have packed gift-filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. We have packed more than 3000 shoeboxes over the years, and plan to continue the project this year. 

Samaritan’s Purse collects Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes filled with toys and other fun items and delivers them to children in need around the world.  Each box is an opportunity to send joy and a message of God’s love to a child living in a difficult situation.  For many children, the shoebox gift is the only gift they have ever received. 

Our plan this year is to pack shoeboxes during a week of holiday celebrations that will introduce different holiday traditions to our students.  We hope to surpass our goal of 400 gift-filled shoeboxes.  Our team has been hard at work behind the scenes to make sure we have the supplies we need to fill these shoeboxes.

Donations Needed

An opportunity to participate is available to everyone in the Catawba community.  Our greatest need is for monetary donations that will allow us to purchase needed gifts/toys for the boxes.  We purchase shoebox gifts in bulk and need to raise funds to pay for those.  Through bulk buying, students can pack two gift-filled shoeboxes for $10.  If you would like to make a donation to the project, please complete the form below to donate online.  If you would like a gift receipt from the College, please donate by check.  Checks should be payable to Catawba College with "Operation Christmas Child" in the subject line.  Send checks to: Sharon Newsome, Catawba Student Affairs Office, 2300 W Innes St, Salisbury, NC  28144.

We also appreciate donations of small toys, hygiene items, school supplies, etc. for the shoeboxes. Please bring donations to: Student Affairs Office, located in the Canon Student Center, or call Student Affairs at 704-637-4410 for pick-up.   

Another option is to pack a shoebox yourself, with your family, or with your officemates/friends.  Empty shoeboxes are available in the Student Affairs Office.  Filled Shoeboxes will be collected during the week of November 8th.

For more information about Operation Christmas Child, visit samaritanspurse.org/occ. 

We hope you will help us bless children around the world this year and we thank you in advance for any contributions you are able to make!

Make a Donation

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