Operation Christmas Child

    Lyndon State College students have the opportunity to spread the holiday spirit to children all over the world.

    Operation Christmas Child is a program through Samaritan's Purse, a Christian group providing religious and physical help to people in pain around the world. Operation Christmas Child's job is to deliver shoeboxes filled with goods to children in need, and spread God's love. Last year alone, 8 million children received shoeboxes. Over 130 countries have received shoeboxes since 1993.

    "Operation Christmas Child went really well," said LSC student Taylore Aussiker, who organized the Lyndon chain of Operation Christmas child. "I was the organizer. I made it an event because I'm an RA. There was really no problem because it was really well organized."

Aussiker got the idea to join Lyndon with Operation Christmas Child through her Christian Fellowship group that she has been a part of since her freshman year of high school.  It was a success for her high school, so Taylore decided to bring the program to Lyndon.

"People were into it here," she said. "I plan on doing it next year too."

The designated drop-off location for the Lyndonville area was Lyndon Bible Church.  Between the dates of Nov. 15 – 22, Lyndon students dropped off a total of 8 shoeboxes. There were around 10-15 volunteers for the event that donated gifts and wrapped shoeboxes on Nov. 17.

 Some of the gifts that were donated included toys such as small cars, balls, dolls, and stuffed animals; school supplies such as pens, pencils and sharpeners, and crayons or markers. Other items that were given were hygiene gifts like toothpaste and mild bar soap, miscellaneous gifts like candy, t-shirts, and toy jewelry, and personal notes with a picture of the student's family.

The gifts were tagged by gender and age group so they would be given to the appropriate children.  The ultimate goal of the program is to brighten up a child's holiday season, and provide gifts for children who would otherwise have nothing.

Operation Christmas Child has been well-received around campus.

 "I think Operation Christmas Child and other programs like it is a good idea, especially in this economy," said LSC student Kristen Kuhns. "It is such a great thing when families can call on their communities and all over for help during this special time of year.  It's all about the spirit of the season."

"This is a great idea," said LSC student Arianna Millington.  "College students can't do a lot, but given the opportunity to give little things to others, and they will. That's what the holiday season is all about."

For more information about Operation Christmas Child and how you can help visit their website at  www. samaritanspurse.org/ index.php/ OCC/.

Don't forget to keep and eye out for the other events on campus to get you in the holiday spirit! On Thursday, Dec. 9, head over to ASAC 100 for the holiday movie special showings. Lyndon State College's Campus Activities Board presents Rudolph's Shiny New Year at 6 p.m., The Gruffalo at 7 p.m., Santa Claus Is Coming to Town at 8 p.m., and The Year Without a Santa Clause at 9 p.m.