Stillwater Christian School students will make a brighter Christmas for 157 children around the world with gift-filled shoe boxes.

Kindergarten through eighth-grade students participated recently in Operation Christmas Child, a program of the nondenominational evangelical Christian nonprofit called the Samaritan’s Purse. 

For three weeks students collected toys, candy, school and household supplies and hygiene items. Students also raised $700 to help cover shipping costs.

“The response was astounding,” Stillwater Elementary Principal Tim Anderson said.

The school kicked off the collection effort at an assembly where Honduras native Keren Banegas, an Operation Christmas Child recipient, talked to students about the impact one small shoe box made in her life as a child. She received her shoe box at a time when her country was recovering from a devastating hurricane. 

Anderson said Banegas was an inspiration.

“She came in and shared her heart,” Anderson said. “She talked about the opportunity Operation Christmas Child presents to us tangibly to help children in poverty-stricken areas,” Anderson said. 

One of the significant items contained in Banegas’ shoe box was a letter. Anderson said students wrote letters to place inside each box. Students wrote about themselves, their faith in God, how they celebrate Christmas and notes of encouragement, according to Anderson.

“Occasionally children write back who receive boxes,” Anderson said.

Volunteers including students, National Honor Society members, parents and staffers packed the goodies into empty shoe boxes Nov. 7. 

“We poured all the items over the tables and started packing,” Anderson said. “To be able to fill 157 boxes in this manner was really amazing.”

This is the first year participation was schoolwide.

“We’ve done it for a long time on the individual class level, but never collectively as a school and community event.” Anderson said.

According to www.samaritanspurse.org, children in more than 150 countries have received 113 million gift-filled shoe boxes since 1993. This year the nonprofit has a goal to collect shoe boxes to reach 10 million children. 

Operation Christmas Child’s National Collection Week is Nov. 17-24. People who would like to participate or find the closest drop-off center can visit www.samaritanspurse.org or call 1-800-353-5949.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.