TU Students Share Christmas Gifts Worldwide
Post Published On:Thomas University student-athletes and Goalline Ministries partnered with Operation Christmas Child to surprise children from around the world with Christmas gifts this past holiday season.
They packed over 120 shoeboxes with toys, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, socks, coloring books and pencils, clothes, and other age-specific items for girls and boys who might not have received gifts for Christmas.
This past Christmas was senior McKenna Swartzman’s fourth year participating in Operation Christmas Child, and she said every time she has felt happiness and satisfaction knowing that she helped make a child’s Christmas special.
“[Christmas 2024], my soccer teammates and I packed some fun items in our Christmas boxes,” she said. “We packed toys, a stuffed animal, crayons, pens, a ruler, a journal, a coloring book, a ball, and other fun [items]. I added a miniature Bible so they could read and grow closer to God. I also added a hand-made note from the three of us wishing them a Merry Christmas.”
Senior Kiana Acol also participated in Operation Christmas Child. She said she wanted to give to people who may be less fortunate than her.
“I wanted them to be as happy as any person or child when they open gifts on Christmas,” she said. “For my box, I gave toys, coloring books, coloring pencils, clothes, and hygiene things like lip gloss and perfume.”
Senior Jon Steptoe, who has participated in Operation Christmas Child multiple times, said he will continue to give even after he graduates from TU.
“Christmas and the holidays are all about giving, especially when you have it better than some, which is the least you can do,” he said. “Even after TU I will still engage in giving globally because of Operation Christmas Child.”
Operation Christmas Child was started in 1993 by Samaritan’s Purse in partnership with local churches. Samaritan’s Purse is a Christian organization that provides aid to people in need around the world.
“[The] boxes made their way to the Samaritan’s Purse distribution center in Atlanta via Thomasville First Baptist Church, before being shipped all over the world,” Cory Wise, Executive Director of Goalline Ministries, said.
