Operation Christmas Child in effect

“It’s the holiday season

And Santa Claus has got a toy

For every good girl and good little boy

Santa’s a great big bundle of joy

When he’s coming down the chimney, down.”

(Happy Holidays sang by Andy Williams and written by  Irving Berlin)

It’s the time of year for Christmas classics and Santa sightings. Again this season,  DECA students took the lyrics a step further when it came to handing out toys to little boys and girls.

Operation Christmas Child, a volunteer organization that ships gifts to children that otherwise may not receive presents, sends boxes internationally through churches on the third week of November every year to share the message and love of God. At BSHS, DECA teacher Kelly Fowler promotes and collects these boxes while social studies teacher Jim Brandner delivers them to his church to be shipped out.  

Fowler reported that BSHS students and faculty donated 128 boxes compared to last years 100 boxes. Sophomore Julia Wyatt filled one of those boxes.

“In the boxes you can put hygiene items, toys, crafts, ect. that you think the girl/ boy of the certain age you chose will like. Personally I put fuzzy socks, some crafts and markers, and a sleeping mask in mine. Mine was created for a girl that’s ten to fourteen,” Wyatt said.

Anyone can donate a box and Fowler encouraged multiple donations. Junior Alexis Hayes donated two.

“I put a scarf, fun things to do like colors books, silly putty, card games, and scented markers. My church leader also helped and with the second box and put school supplies and socks in that one,” Hayes said.

Both girls are planning to participate again next year and loved the feeling of making a difference for the kids during the holiday season.

“I really enjoyed giving back, and the shopping I got to do,” Hayes said.

Operation Christmas child has collected and delivered more than 135 million gift- filled shoe boxes to children in over 150 countries. The boxes have already been donated and Operation Child Christmas is underway with more than 500,000 volunteers worldwide involved in collecting, shipping, and distributing shoebox gifts allowing for thousands of children to have a very happy holiday.