Amid a small village in the northern part of Panama, children gather for the anticipation of a shoebox distribution. Following a countdown, children rip open the boxes and release screams of euphoric laughter. Among the excitement there is one little boy who does not share the same delight as the rest and appears expressionless. A man approaches him and begins pulling toys out of his shoebox; the boy’s expression does not change. The man then reaches in the box and reveals a hot wheels car, which he then runs up the boy’s arm with a "vrooooooom" sound. Finally, the boy begins to laugh, and soon both the man and boy are laughing and using the car. This man, Ryan Gordon, shared this true story. He is a volunteer for the shoebox project called Operation Christmas Child, which allows children across the globe to experience joy during the Christmas season.

Operation Christmas Child (OCC) is an organization that gives children a reason to smile. They are a worldwide project of Samaritan’s Purse that utilizes shoeboxes as gifts for needy children in over 100 countries. OCC is not only limited to collecting boxes in the United States. They also collect from Canada, Australia, Austria, Finland, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Since 1998 Akron has taken part in OCC. Once the boxes are collected, they have some of their 500,000 worldwide volunteers travel outside the United States and hand deliver the boxes; moreover, these volunteers use this opportunity to share the Gospel with those receiving the boxes.

Items vary from box-to-box, but items that are generally donated are stuffed animals, t-shirts, pencils, toiletries, hard candy, and shoes. Along with what the families give, the OCC includes a booklet, in their own language, called "The Greatest Gift of All." Regional manager David Zimmerman has specific items that he and his family put into the box annually.

"Our family always puts a bowl or plastic cup in a box. Then, if they go to a refugee camp, the child will have something to put their food in," Zimmerman said.

Akron area coordinator Tim Single, a twelve year volunteer, recalled the items that he has found to be most appreciated.

"The basic items are really valued, especially toothbrushes because not many have them," Single said.

OCC is able to meet success with the help of their many volunteers. Without their volunteers children would not experience what they do. Children’s Pastor Ryan Gordon is an example of a volunteer who holds many responsibilities for OCC. Gordon began his involvement through Crossroads Community Church. Gordon is a part of the Akron Area Team working as a Prayer Team member, an advisor to the Collection Center and a spokesperson. He shared the variety of groups that one can volunteer to help the organization.

"People are also getting together throughout the year volunteering in community groups, church groups, media groups, prayer groups, and collection networks to promote and facilitate the collection of more shoebox gifts," Gordon said.

Single agreed with Zimmerman and recognized OCC’s impact. Single believed the shoe boxes open a door. He acknowledged that the shoe box is a journey from the donor to the child.

"This is a worthwhile cause that [sends] a loving and proud message around the world. We don’t go out and knock on the door. It spreads through word of mouth. There is no competition," Single said.

People continue their involvement because of OCC’s purpose.

"One of the reasons our congregation is so involved is because they know the impact that each box has not only for one child, but maybe a whole community. We are called to help those in need around us, and this is one way we can have an impact around the world," Gordon said.

According to globalissues.org about 1.4 million children die each year from lack of access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. There are about one billion children that live in poverty. With that being said, the OCC’s impact is much greater than people think.

"One third of the population in the world is children. We are trying to reach a significant number of people," Single said.

Anyone can take part in this charity. For example, one of the schools that takes part of the Community Team helped collect boxes in 2010.

"At Woodridge High School the special needs class heard about [OCC] and wanted to get involved. Between the staff and students 665-770 shoe boxes were donated," Single said.

The boxes do not only impact the receivers. Zimmerman reflected on the experience he had hand delivering boxes in four different countries.

"It is [the experience] that is tremendous. The children are so overwhelmed because most of them have never received a gift in their life and may never again," Zimmerman said.

Single, who has also traveled to deliver boxes, explained an encounter he had with a chi ld.

"In 2006 in Jamaica, I gave a box to a child that was in the burn unit in the hospital. I went back in 2008 and I found him. Because of his burns, he ended up only having one hand. He was out of school for a while. He was behind in school because [of this incident]. We then got him back in school and helped pay the tuition. We still have a working relationship [to this day]," Single said.

Although it may be time consuming to go out and buy a multitude of gifts for the boxes, OCC has set up an easily accessible way to donate. Media Relations Associate Sarah Billman explained OCC’s online opportunity, Build-A-Box.

"Currently, we are promoting our Build-A-Box online virtual program. Participants are able to go online and virtually build a shoebox. Our warehouse in Boone will physically pack the box and send it out. This is a great second chance for those who missed our National Collection Week. You may find more out through our website at www.samaritanspurse.org/occ," Billman said.

　 Many may not fathom the pure joy a child gets when opening up a shoe box. A shoe box may make a huge difference in someone’s life that lives across the country.

"Every box makes an impact into the life of a child that maybe has nothing. [They] may live in a trash dump, may live in the midst of a war, may not have parents or may have a terminal disease. It is for this reason, I pack shoeboxes," Gordon said.

Join those in helping spread joy to children all over the world by building a shoebox. This task can put a smile on a child’s face and allow him or her to experience the Christmas tradition of giving to others. National collection week was the third week in November, and Build-A-Box runs through December.