Nov 17, 2002 By Frances Borsodi Zajac 8 min read

The school day is over, but Room 126 at Connellsville Junior High East is filled with the sounds of busy students who have stayed behind to wrap and pack Christmas presents for youths they don’t even know. These are members of the school’s Bible club, and they are working diligently to meet the deadline for Operation Christmas Child’s Love in a Shoebox program, a national endeavor that delivers Christmas presents to children in crisis situations around the world.

Locally, as many as 10,000 Christmas packages are expected to be collected in the district this week at sites that include Great Bethel Baptist Church in Uniontown, New Life Covenant Church in Markleysburg, World Christian Outreach Ministries in Connellsville and Everson Evangelical Church. Collection is done early so the packages can be shipped around the world in time for the holidays to children who suffer from war, poverty, disease and natural disaster.

Although Operation Christmas Child has been adopted by many churches, service organizations and individuals throughout the area, there are also a noteworthy number of students who participate. They include students in public and private schools as well as those who are home-schooled.

“I think it’s significant because it’s kids helping kids,’ said Susan Jennings, district coordinator for Operation Christmas Child.

Even the students agree.

“It’s a good idea if other schools are doing it,’ said Megan Reho, 13, of Bear Rocks, stopping to talk while the Connellsville Junior High East Bible club continues its work.

Why do they like the project?

“It’s nice because you feel like you can help other people out of your community, not just people you know,’ said Desiree Helterbran, 13, also of Bear Rocks. “It’s a nice outreach program.’

“It’s nice because you know this might be the only present that a person gets,’ said Michelle Gianotti, 13, of Connellsville.

“And it’s fun,’ said Reho, 13, “because you get to do it with your friends.’

Teacher Sharon Weible, sponsor for the Bible club, said the organization has been participating in Operation Christmas Child for six or seven years.

“In the first years, our club asked family and friends to participate and we packed five or six boxes. Four years ago, we asked the whole school to participate: students, teachers and staff. Not everyone participates, but we’ve had good response. Last year, we had 33 boxes,’ Weible said.

The club set up posters at the school in October, promoting the program and displaying letters and photographs from children in Uganda who received Connellsville Junior High East’s Christmas packages last year. The letters read in part, “I was very happy of the gift you sent to me. I received it with joy. This is a picture of me. My name is Ronald. I am 8 years old and I go to school and I love playing with other children.’ Erick wrote, “I am 13 years old. I am in primary six. I have eight brothers. …I want our friendship to grow.’

Weible said the program teaches students “not only to think about other people, but I hope it makes them think about how fortunate they are. Many of the gifts are toothbrushes, toothpaste, washcloths and soap – things the kids take for granted. They wouldn’t think of them as gifts at all.’

It does appear to be sinking in.

Andrew Crider 12, of Connellsville said, “I think it’s a good idea. A lot of kids don’t get much.’

His cousin, Adam Crider, also 12, commented, “It helps people.’

Seth Weible, 13, of Mill Run remarked, “For no good reason, we get stuff. We have opportunities to do something good in our life. The least we could do is give them presents.’

Operation Christmas Child is operated by Samaritan’s Purse, which is led by Franklin Graham, son of legendary evangelist Billy Graham. The program makes use of shoeboxes, which are wrapped in colorful holiday paper and then filled with small toys, school supplies, hygiene items (such as toothbrushes) and hard candy.

A fact sheet provided by Operation Christmas Child revealed the organization touched the lives of more than 5 million children in 94 countries in 2001, including Afghanistan, Sudan, Somalia, El Salvador and the Philippines. Since 1993, the program has delivered more than 18 million shoeboxes to children in 112 countries.

Locally, 184 churches, schools, individuals and organizations participated in Operation Christmas Child last year, collecting 6,070 shoeboxes. The reception prompted local officials to raise the goal to 10,000 shoeboxes this year.

And a remarkable number of these shoeboxes are from local children.

Local teachers interviewed by the Herald-Standard noted that participating in Love in a Shoebox is giving their students a lesson about life.

“Part of their education should be learning how to serve your community rather than waiting for it to come to you,’ said Joanne Savini, adviser to the Laurel Highlands High School Interact Club which participates in Operation Christmas Child. “That’s the purpose of Interact. We’re here to help when we can.’

Teacher Art Hruby, who helps teacher Pat Thomas with the program at Ben Franklin School in the Uniontown Area School District, said, “We’re trying to get students to give back to society. It’s better to give than to receive. I’m a firm believer in that.’

He also noted that by offering the program that students learn from a model rather than words.

And Hruby noted, “We hope the children get a good feeling that carries over not just for the holidays but everyday.’

Mary Chesler of St. John the Evangelist School in Uniontown said, “I think the most important thing is to understand we’re not alone in the world. We have a responsibility to take care of each other.’

She said the students are particularly struck when they look at the toothbrushes, socks and hair barrettes and realize they will be other children’s Christmas presents.

“It really hits them and they see how blessed they are,’ Chesler noted. “And being Catholic, this involves evangelism. The students put their pictures into the box and some of them have received responses. It’s been a really good experience.’

Diane Smith of Fayette County Christian Home Schoolers said, “It teaches them to look beyond their own little world and see people in need. Hopefully, it will open their eyes to show how blessed they are but also that they can bless others as well.’

Pam Howarth of Uniontown Area High School said, “It makes kids aware of how unfortunate other kids are. They realize how important necessities are: hats, gloves, toothpaste. They are necessities of life that our kids often take for granted.’

Linda Girard, a teacher at Albert Gallatin Senior High School, said, “I think they learned about other areas of the world who are not as fortunate. They were surprised that they wanted toothbrushes and bars of soap. That shocked them.’

Girard advised AG’s Interact Club, which sponsored the program last year. This year there is no longer an Interact Club at the school and Girard doesn’t believe anyone else has taken over the project.

But she said of last year’s participation: “It was excellent. They were very generous. They surprised me how generous they were. We took 65 boxes to Great Bethel Baptist Church.’

Interest in the project is growing at Laurel Highlands High School where students work individually or in teams to fill shoeboxes.

Savini reported, “Last year, we had four or five kids participating. This year, a larger number of students want to do it. It’s the opportunity to help someone.’

Hruby, who reported the project is coordinated by SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) at Ben Franklin, said, “Last year, we were shooting for 80 boxes. We received upwards of 190 to 200. They were very responsive.’

With every class at St. John’s required to do a service project, Chesler saw Operation Christmas Child as a way to blend a humanitarian action with a lesson in social studies.

Her sixth-grade students do reports on a number of countries that are supported by Operation Christmas Child and then make presentations on these countries to the other classes at the school.

“It’s educational as well as inspirational,’ she noted.

This is the second year that the Fayette County Christian Home Schoolers have participated in the program through their outreach group called The Golden Rule Club.

Smith explained the Golden Rule Club, which does outreach for the community, participates by having families prepare their own shoeboxes which are then delivered to the collection site at Great Bethel Baptist Church in Uniontown.

In addition, 11 students and three parents will spend most of Monday, Nov. 18 – the first day of collecting – at Great Bethel Baptist Church.

“We wrap shoeboxes, pack shoeboxes and do whatever they need us to do,’ explained Smith. “Last year, we were there from 9 in the morning until about 2 or 3 in the afternoon.’

Smith is a resident of the Masontown area but noted that members of the Fayette County Christian Homeschoolers live throughout the county, including Connellsville, Scottdale and Smithfield.

Howarth initiated the program at Uniontown Area High School four years ago with her child care classes. This year she is expanding the program with the National Honor Society, which she advises. Howarth would also like to invite band members to participate.

“I ask the students to either get together or fill a shoebox on their own. Usually they end up in groups,’ she reported. “I have had anywhere between 50 and 75 shoeboxes usually.’

Howarth said the students who choose to participate in the program find their own rewards.

“When they become involved, most of them have the satisfaction of helping someone,’ Howarth said. “It melts a few hearts.’