One such story comes from Columbia, Ga. Lacking funds to fill shoeboxes for OCC, two little girls stirred together their own economic stimulus package with lemons and sugar. Setting up a lemonade stand in front of their local Wal-Mart, the girls not only made enough money to fill shoeboxes but also inspired their customers to fill some, too.

Another child prayed that God would help her fill four shoeboxes. From seemingly nowhere, a van arrived filled with new toys and shoebox items — enough to fill 25 boxes.

In North Carolina, a retired teacher hiked 477 miles from Jarman Gap near Waynesboro, Va., to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 40 days to encourage others to participate in OCC.

Communities hard-hit with hurricanes and storms have collected record numbers of shoeboxes. Just two years after Hurricane Katrina inflicted devastating losses on the people of Louisiana, residents rallied with renewed generosity by collecting 112,576 shoebox gifts — a state record.

Some families make packing OCC shoeboxes part of their Thanksgiving tradition or a landmark to signal the beginning of the Christmas season. For others, like Riddle’s own family, it is a year-round project. “Officially, we pack one shoebox per family member. But we collect items and little toys all year.”

One child said her yearly OCC buying and packing adventure sparks her imagination and compassion. “When I fill the shoebox, I like to think of the happy face of the (recipient) child when she unpacks each item I pack.”

Other American children, pampered and sheltered from the needs of others, find Third World poverty beyond imagination. Said one grandmother: “Once we got the shoebox packed, my granddaughter didn’t want to send it. She said, ‘Why don’t I just keep this shoebox in case Operation Christmas Child forgets to deliver one to me?’ She couldn’t comprehend that some children have nothing while she has so much.”

There are also many heartwarming stories of former recipients of OCC shoeboxes who now pack them to return the favor.

For the shoeboxes to complete their journey and reach the hands and hearts of waiting children, OCC uses whatever means necessary — truck, boat, plane, helicopter, donkey, and dogsled, even camel.

Although collection of OCC shoeboxes is underway, it is not too late for Crosswalk readers to participate. OCC collects shoeboxes year round. Go to http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/ to locate a collection site.