Former Orphan Helps Change the Lives of Orphans and Other Needy Children Worldwide
"There just wasn't much to live for. Then one Christmas I received a shoe box full of toys, candy and crayons. It was the first present I had ever received. It was awesome to think that someone out there actually cared about me."
(St. Louis, Missouri)—Many children across America may not realize that not every child around the world gets brightly-wrapped gifts at Christmas.
Tanya Poteet was a youngster who spent her early childhood in a Russian orphanage and never thought her life would amount to anything.
Now 18 years old, she is part of a loving family here in the United States and a recent high school graduate who plans to dedicate her life to helping others. Tanya says the hope she felt after receiving a simple shoe box gift in her orphanage is what inspired her to keep faith and not give up.
"I was abused and abandoned by my parents when I was eight years old," said Tanya. "There just wasn't much to live for. Then one Christmas I received a shoe box full of toys, candy and crayons. It was the first present I had ever received. It was awesome to think that someone out there actually cared about me."
In August, Tanya traveled to Quito, Ecuador and surrounding areas as part of a summer missions group sponsored by the kids-helping-kids project Operation Christmas Child.
Determined to help the same organization that gave her hope so many years ago, Tanya joined other teens as they hand-delivered shoe box gifts to poverty-stricken children in Ecuador—including orphans.
"I know the importance of receiving something small, but so meaningful-to think no one cares for you and then receive a box full of surprises from a stranger who really does care," said Tanya.
"Now, it is my turn to share Operation Christmas Child shoe box gifts with kids in need-and encourage others around me to do the same."
A project of international relief organization Samaritan's Purse, Operation Christmas Child begins with a simple shoe box filled with toys, necessity items, school supplies, candy and a letter of encouragement.
Since 1993, Operation Christmas Child-the world's largest Christmas project-has hand-delivered more than 61 million shoe box gifts to needy youngsters in some 90 countries who are suffering because of natural disaster, disease, war, terrorism, famine and poverty.
Tanya is just one of millions of people across the United States who has begun working hard now to make a difference in the lives of hurting children around the world.
Operation Christmas Child is not limited to just a few weeks a year. Although National Collection Week was Nov. 17-24, it is a year-round project, requiring months of organization and preparation to reach millions of kids around the world.
In the past week, local kids, families and volunteers have been helping turn local warehouses into Christmas workshops where a combined 8 million gift-filled shoe boxes will be prepared for overseas shipment and hand-delivery to needy children around the world.
Operation Christmas Child, a project of international Christian relief organization Samaritan's Purse, headed by Franklin Graham, has collected and hand-delivered more than 61 million shoe box gifts to hurting kids in 130 countries since 1993.
This year, 8 million children will receive shoe box gifts, for some of these children it will be the first gift they ever receive.
Franklin Graham to Appear at Operation Christmas Child Shoe Box Send-Off Events…Event Schedule:
TUESDAY, December 2, at 10:30 a.m. (PT), ORANGE COUNTY PROCESSING CENTER
WEDNESDAY, December 3, at 10:30 a.m. (MT), DENVER PROCESSING CENTER
THURSDAY, December 4, at 10:30 a.m. (ET), CHARLOTTE PROCESSING CENTER
Packed with simple items such as toothpaste, soap and school supplies, these simple shoe box gifts are a reminder that they are loved and not forgotten. Operation Christmas Child will use any means necessary—trucks, trains, airplanes, boats, camels, even dog sleds—to reach suffering children around the world.
For more information on how to participate in Operation Christmas Child and make a difference in the lives of children like Tanya, call (800) 353-5949 or visit www.samaritanspurse.org.
