Commons 3 residents participated in box packing for Operation Christmas Child

In light of the Christmas season, Liberty University partnered with nonprofit Samaritan’s Purse to bring joy to children all over the world with heartfelt gifts provided in the simple form of a shoebox.

Thousands of shoe boxes are filled with necessities and toys for children by Liberty students each year in an initiative known as Operation Christmas Child. Through Operation Christmas Child, recipients of shoeboxes not only receive various gifts and items, but also the story of the Gospel written in their own language within each box.

Liberty students were encouraged throughout October to fill boxes with toys and basic hygiene items for children overseas. 

While many students filled boxes individually, Resident Assistants (RAs) in Commons 3, commonly known as “The Shoe,” had a different idea. 

To better engage students and excite them about the opportunity to change a child’s life overseas, RA Gabrielle Bridges teamed up with other Shoe RAs to initiate a Shoe-wide packing party. 

“One thing that we’re really fighting for this year is a Shoe-wide culture of service and just wanting to really push for that … this was one way we could do that,” Bridges said. 

Each hall in The Shoe was responsible for collecting particular items in bulk, like soap, T-shirts and toy cars, among other items. The funds for items on each hall were primarily collected within community groups on each hall. 

Following Campus Community Oct. 23, students living in The Shoe gathered on the first floor of the building to assemble nearly 270 shoeboxes filled with goods. Each student participating grabbed a box and moved down an assembly line set-up, filling it with hygiene items and small toys. After filling up the box, each student wrote a note for the child who would receive their box. 

This year was the second Shoe-wide packing effort organized by RAs in the building. For Bridges, it was extremely rewarding seeing the event come together on Wednesday night. 

“It was just really incredible to see everyone come together like that and work hard and actually want to be there,” Bridges said.