Don't forget what Franklin Graham said...
We love packing shoeboxes. Some of us do it year round. But, sometimes we get so focused on the stuff, the deals and the deadlines - that sometimes we forget why Operation Christmas Child even exists....
How It Started
In the summer of 1993, a man from the UK named Dave Cooke called Franklin Graham with a simple idea: fill shoeboxes with gifts for children in war-torn Bosnia. That first year: 11,000 shoeboxes, shipped to children in Bosnia who had lost everything.
That was 1993. Since then, Operation Christmas Child has delivered over 220 million shoeboxes to children in more than 170 countries. Franklin Graham has never wavered on what this is about:
"Every box is an opportunity to reach a child with the Gospel of Jesus Christ." — Franklin Graham, Founder, Samaritan's Purse
He didn't create a toy drive. Not a charity project. An opportunity to reach a child with the gospel of Jesus.
The Box You're Packing Today
That box you are about to pack — the one with the pencils and the jump rope and the stickers — is an opportunity.
It is an opportunity to open the hearts and the mind of a child toward Jesus. To create that spark, that formative memory that will never be forgotten. It can spark the interest to learn more about Jesus. What you put in that shoebox can open that door.
Why We Built the Shoebox Jesus Doll
Our mission at Jesusdoll.com has always been to make disciples of all kids on all nations. To teach your kids before the World does.
When we looked at Operation Christmas Child — 12.8 million boxes, 170 countries, a perfect partner to meet our mission. Then, we saw what was going into most of the boxes.
Ducks, Rabbits, Pokemon, Super Mario, Baby Yoda???.
But no Jesus. That didn't make sense.
So we made The Shoebox Jesus Doll to fit perfectly inside any OCC shoebox with plenty of room for goodies. No batteries. No language barrier. Any age, any gender, any country. One WOW gift turns a gift into a mission. does what the whole program exists to do.
That's why Franklin Graham wrote to us personally: "These are great and the children will love them. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and partnership."
Don't Forget Why You're Packing
It is easy to get caught up in what you are packing. Don't forget why you are packing. Don't let getting the best deal come before giving the one thing that is real. Make Jesus center of the shoebox. Make that box matter. And use it as and opportunity to reach a child with Jesus.
Make yours count.
Get the Shoebox Jesus Doll → — The WOW gift that makes little disciples.
Last updated: August 2026