By Morgan Mizell

NATCHEZ — Operation Christmas Child holds a special place in Sarah Allen’s heart.

The operation has been especially dear to her since last year, when she received a letter from a recipient of one of her Christmas shoeboxes.

Allen, who attends Parkway Baptist Church, has participated in the program since 2012. She said Diane Lazarus, program director at her church, does not recall anyone receiving a letter in the years she has been associated with the program.

The letter Allen received was in response to last year’s OCC box. Getting the letter was a plus for her.

“It made me very excited that I did make a difference,” Allen said. “We

are created to honor God and reach others for Him, and this is what I feel I have done with this.”

Allen said she was amazed because in the letter, the young man spoke about accepting Jesus in his life after receiving her box.

“Who knew that last November, a kid nearly 6,000 miles away would get my shoebox and come to know Christ as his savior,” Allen said. “You never know.”

Allen said she decided to participate in the program because she knows there are children in need, both locally and abroad.

“I guess seeing the less fortunate in the community and knowing about the kids around the world not even having their own toothbrush made me want to do this,” Allen said. “I actually started packing the boxes according to my niece and nephew and their ages.”

Allen said the boxes are packed with mostly essentials.

“They usually ask for school supplies and hygiene items,” Allen said. “I will usually pack some fun items in their boxes as well.”

The Samaritan’s Purse, the organization behind OCC created in part by evangelist Franklin Graham, says on its website the operation is one of nearly 20 of its mission projects.

“I usually print the labels that allow me to track the shoebox,” Allen said. “You can literally watch your package travel and see where it goes.”

Parkway Church is a local collection site for the Operation Christmas Child organization in the Miss-Lou area. Collection will take place this year from Nov. 14-21.

“If you are not sure what to put in your box, the website will help you build a box,” Allen said. “We also take up monetary donations at Parkway and someone will go shopping to make a box for you in case you are not sure what to do.”

Allen said anyone who is new to the shoebox ministry should shop all year long to avoid a big expense at one time.

“The website will help you know what you can and cannot pack in the boxes,” Allen said. “I enjoy it so much and I start for the next year as soon as the current year ends.”

Allen encouraged participants to put their picture and address in the box because they, too, may send a box to a child who wants to send back a letter.

For more information on how to become involved in the operation and ideas for what to pack inside boxes, visit samaritanspurse.org.