The women of GATA are collecting shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. 

Operation Christmas Child is run by Samaritan’s Purse, a nonprofit committed to alleviating poverty around the world. Operation Christmas Child helps kids receive gifts on Christmas by gathering shoe boxes filled with toys, as well as other items, and sending them to kids in other countries. GATA has made it a club tradition to collect boxes from members and students across campus.

“This year, GATA is aiming for 100 boxes to send off,” said GATA Chaplin Makayla Jones. “We will be in the Campus Center all week, and then we are having a packing party Thursday night.”

Operation Christmas Child is a nationwide service project that has been going on for years. The boxes are dispersed among many different countries that are in poverty that also have children who will not receive gifts for Christmas.

Jones says that in the past, GATA has been the only ones to help with the Operation Christmas Child. However, the club has reached out to the other clubs on campus and wants anyone who is willing to help to come.

“We figured this would be a great opportunity to reach out to the community,” said Jones. “We are willing to take whoever wants to help; we had 40 people sign up today so it’s awesome.”

Boxes will be collected around the country until Nov. 21.

“I think it’s a great way to inform people what’s going on around the world,” junior GATA member Kendra Bolin said. “It’s a good way to give back and keep in mind what the spirit of Christmas is all about.”

GATA will be covering the shipping fee, $7 per box. Students who attend the wrapping party on Thursday will also receive a chapel credit.