During the holidays, it is customary to give back to the community. One way to become charitable during the holiday season is to participate in Operation Christmas Child.

As a ministry facet of the Christian organization Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child is a relief project that was started to reach young children all over the world.

After a trip to Asia in his early 20s, Samaritan’s Purse president Franklin Graham, son of Billy and Ruth Graham, was convicted with a burden and concern for under-privileged people in other countries.

Succeeding the founder of Samaritan’s Purse, Bob Pierce, after he died of leukemia, Franklin is committed to the project and mission behind Operation Christmas Child.

For students with a busy schedule, participating in this will not take much time or money, and it is easy to do. First, grab a roommate, a friend or a family member, and an old shoebox. Then fill the box with a bunch of little gifts or toys, and fill up the box. Put in $5 for shipping costs, and then take it to a drop-off location.

“Franklin Graham always said how important it is for kids to help kids, no matter what age you are. These shoeboxes are often the first and sometimes the last gift that these children receive,” said Hannah Sain of Samaritan’s Purse.

“It is so important that these children hear the message of Christmas, and they do that through Operation Christmas Child. These gifts give them hope versus the poverty that they live with in their daily lives.”

One campus organization participating in Operation Christmas Child this year is the Baptist Student Union. Jeremy Hill, president of BSU, encourages students all over campus to get involved.

“Any donation, whether it be a shoebox full or just a few gifts to put inside, would be welcomed from any student. These shoeboxes don’t seem like a lot to us, but they really make a difference in the lives of under-privileged kids all around the world,” Hill said.

Students can drop off donations at a BSU meeting, in University Union room 100 either on Monday at 6 p.m. or Wednesday at noon. Locally, the off -campus location is Northside Baptist Church on College Avenue. All shoeboxes must be received on or before Nov. 17.

To find other available drop-off locations, call 1-800-353-5949.

For more information about the organization or the countries that receive the shoebox gifts visit www.samaritanspurse.org.