Operation Christmas Child sends a message of hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoeboxes and Gospel literature. The program provides an opportunity for individuals of all ages to be involved in a simple, hands-on mission project that reaches out to suffering children while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas-Jesus Christ, God's greatest gift. In 2000, Operation Christmas Child collected over 4 million shoeboxes worldwide and distributed them to children in more than 75 countries.

Lutheran Social Services of Jamestown (LSS) proudly serves as a Drop-Off Location for Operation Christmas Child 2003. During the week of November 17, 2003, area churches, organizations and individuals may bring their shoeboxes to the Gustavus Adolphus Learning Center' Cafetorium on the LSS campus. Last year we received 2500 gift-filled shoeboxes! We, in turn, crated and shipped them to a regional center where thousands and thousands more shoeboxes were repacked for shipment to children all over the world. This year we look forward to processing over 4000 shoeboxes!