Operation Christmas Child Donation

Project Description

My name is Olivia. For my National Junior Honors Society service project, I organized and managed a drive to donate twelve boxes to Operation Christmas Child. I received clothes, art supplies, toiletries, stuffed animals, games, flashlights, batteries, bowls and utensils, hygiene products, and other items to bring joy to children in need around the world. On November 18, 2022, approximately 20 students from Saint Mark’s gathered at 7:30 am and assembled the boxes. Some of the students included handwritten messages to the children. I dropped the boxes off at Calvary Christian Academy and the boxes made it to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Senegal.

Purpose

I chose this project because I have donated to Operation Christmas Child in the past. There are many children around the world who do not have even basic necessities. With a little bit of effort and dedication, I knew it would be possible to spread kindness and hope during the Christmas season. I

At the start of this project, I hoped to collect enough donations to fill ten Christmas boxes. Based on the generosity and assistance of many of my fellow Saint Mark’s students, we were actually able to donate twelve boxes. In 2022, Operation Christmas Child collected and distributed 9.3 million boxes. I am happy the Saint Mark’s Community was a part of this cause and that each box we sent was full of quality, meaningful items.

Reflection

I learned that the more you give the more you want to give. It felt meaningful to spend my time thinking and planning of ways to make a child I never met, and likely never will meet, just feel special and loved. Although the twelve boxes filled the trunk of my car, I wish I could have done more. I also realized that this creates a ripple effect. From those who helped me fulfill the project’s goals to the parents and friends in another country watching the child open the box, I think everyone involved experienced positive feelings.

I was surprised by how many people donated, help fill the boxes, and helped me deliver the boxes. A lot of people want to help others and if given the opportunity they will take it!

I believe this project helped me develop several NJHS traits. First, I had to practice leadership since I was responsible for planning and executing the project. Second, I worked on trust because I knew I could not accomplish the goals on my own. I had to rely on others for donations and filling boxes. Finally, the project required character as I had to think about the needs of others and work hard to put those needs first.